Facebook accused of knowingly aiding scammers: Meta under scrutiny in Europe

12punto FOREIGN NEWS

Facebook and its parent company Meta have been reported to authorities for publishing fake advertisements from scam networks. The police report states that the crime is being evaluated under the scope of 'aiding and abetting a major fraud scheme'.

While it has been determined that victims communicated with scammers via Facebook, it is also alleged that the platform generated significant revenue from these fake advertisements. According to documents published in the Swedish press, a scam network spent an average of 13 million Swedish kronor per month to attract new victims. It has been determined that Meta generated revenue from a portion of these expenditures.

In the episode titled 'Empire of Fraud' broadcast by SVT's Uppdrag Granskning program, IT security expert Karl Emil Nikka stated that despite reporting the fake ads he saw on Facebook in December, these contents were not removed. Nikka said, 'When I report these ads, Facebook usually does not respond or allows the ad to remain.'

Lawyer Björn Hurtig made a statement regarding the matter, expressing the following:

'There must be the right prosecutor, they must have the right backbone. If it is proven that the platform knew about this situation and did not take precautions, a prosecution should be opened.'

Zuckerberg was previously accused in the US of illegally obtaining and selling user data. Zuckerberg and Meta, who testified before the Senate, were sentenced to pay damages by US authorities. Some experts pointed out that the company was given a much lighter penalty than it should have received in the US.

AUSTRIAN POLICE ALSO LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION

Another country in Europe where Facebook is being investigated for suspected fraud is Austria. It has been learned that the records prepared in Sweden are being examined by the Austrian police. Nikka announced that he was summoned by the police to give a statement after participating in the Uppdrag Granskning program.

Investment fraud stands out as a widespread problem on a global scale. Interpol has characterized such scams as a global threat. In Sweden alone, it was determined that users were defrauded of 2.3 billion dollars in 2023.

Prosecutor Christina Hildebrand did not make a statement regarding the investigation, but confirmed that Facebook and Meta were reported to the police and that the file had reached her. Hurtig stated that if a conviction is reached as a result of the case, the victims could get their money back.

News Source: 12punto