Thai consumer watchdog takes Meta to court over scam and gambling ads on Facebook
The lawsuit alleges that Facebook enabled fraudulent investment schemes and gambling-related advertising to reach users.
Thailand.- The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) has launched legal action against Meta, accusing the company of allowing fraudulent advertisements, including investment scams and gambling-related promotions, to proliferate on Facebook. It says Facebook has continued to host large volumes of scam ads, ranging from fake investment opportunities and counterfeit product sales to gambling promotions.
The organisation argues that Meta’s advertising and recommendation systems have helped fraudsters reach vulnerable audiences, contributing to substantial financial losses among Thai consumers. The lawsuit, filed against both Meta’s local operations and its global headquarters, follows more than a year of discussions between the council and the company regarding consumer protection measures.
The TCC reported receiving more than 6,100 complaints related to online purchases and digital services between 2024 and March 2026, with nearly 3,800 of those linked to Facebook. It argues that the platform’s screening systems have failed to prevent illegal or deceptive promotions from reaching users, raising concerns about the effectiveness of its content moderation and review processes. The council also alleges that Facebook’s algorithms allow scammers to target users based on their interests and online behaviour.
