New Delhi : 8th May
In a strong move to protect Indian users from online fraud, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has removed over 23,000 fake accounts. These accounts were being used to promote investment scams aimed at cheating people in India. This step is one of the biggest efforts by Meta to stop online fraud and make Facebook a safer place for users.
In recent years, investment scams have become more common on social media. Many people in India are now using Facebook, but not all of them are aware of how online scams work. Scammers take advantage of this by posting fake ads and promises of easy money. They use the names and photos of famous people to make their scams look real.
These scammers create fake Facebook profiles and pages. They post ads claiming that big business leaders like Mukesh Ambani or Ratan Tata are supporting certain investment platforms. These posts are not true, but many users believe them because they look professional. People who click on the ads are taken to fake websites or added to WhatsApp groups where the scam continues.
In these groups or websites, the scammers ask people to invest a small amount of money first. After the person sends money, the scammers show a fake return or profit. This makes the victim trust them more. Then, the scammers ask for more money, promising bigger profits. In the end, the scammers disappear, and the victim loses their money.
Meta found that many of these fake accounts were part of a well-organized network. Some of them were even controlled from outside India. The scammers used bots and software to create thousands of fake profiles. They also used stolen photos, AI-generated images, and fake identities to make their profiles look real.
Meta’s security team noticed suspicious activity. Some accounts were sending too many friend requests in a short time. Others were posting the same message again and again. Many had the same website links or fake celebrity pictures. These signs helped Meta detect and remove the accounts.
After removing the accounts, Meta said that it is also working with Indian law enforcement agencies. They are sharing important details that can help the police track and stop the scammers. Meta has also promised to improve its security tools to catch these scams earlier in the future.
The company said it will also run digital safety campaigns to educate people. These campaigns will teach users how to identify scams and what steps to take if they are targeted. The campaigns will be available in multiple Indian languages to help more people understand them.
Investment scams are especially dangerous because they target people’s hopes. Many people want to earn more money or improve their lives. When they see an offer that promises fast profits, they get tempted. But these offers are traps. Once someone sends money, it is almost impossible to get it back.
Cybersecurity experts warn that these scams are becoming more advanced. Scammers are now using deep fake videos, fake interviews, and AI-generated voice recordings. These tools make it harder for people to know what is real and what is fake. That’s why online safety is more important than ever.
Meta has shared some tips to help people stay safe online. First, people should never believe offers that sound too good to be true. There is no easy way to double your money in a short time. Second, if you see a post that uses a celebrity name, always check their official social media accounts or websites. Third, never send money or share personal information with someone you don’t know or trust.
Users should also turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) on their Facebook and Instagram accounts. This adds an extra layer of security and makes it harder for hackers or scammers to access your account. If you see a suspicious ad or message, you can report it to Facebook. Meta has made it easy for users to report scams, fake profiles, and misleading posts.
The removal of 23,000 fake accounts is a big achievement, but it is not the end of the problem. Scammers are always looking for new ways to cheat people. That is why companies like Meta need to keep improving their systems. Meta said it will now verify pages that post about financial topics more carefully. It will also add warning labels to investment-related posts to alert users.
The Indian government is also working to fight online fraud. Authorities like the Cyber Crime Cell, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) have warned people not to trust unknown online platforms. They are encouraging users to invest only through official apps and websites.
Together, tech companies, law enforcement, and the public can help reduce online scams. But people must also be careful. If something feels wrong or too fast, it is better to stop and think before clicking or sending money. Asking questions, doing your own research, and staying informed are the best ways to stay safe online.
Meta’s action shows that social media companies can make a big difference when they take scams seriously. By removing these fake accounts and working with the authorities, Meta is setting an example for other platforms. It is also giving hope to users that the internet can be made safer with the right steps.
