Meta removes fake INTERPOL ads targeting Hong Kong scam victims

Meta platforms have become a breeding ground for sophisticated scams, with a recent series of fraudulent advertisements impersonating INTERPOL targeting Hongkongers. These ads, which have since been removed, preyed on individuals who had already fallen victim to scams, falsely promising to help them recover lost funds. The deceptive posts originated from a fake news outlet masquerading as "Hong Kong Daily," even falsely claiming a shared office with the Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP).

This incident highlights a disturbing trend where malicious actors exploit the trust associated with international organizations like INTERPOL. The global policing body has explicitly stated that it never contacts the public directly, demands money, or requests bank details, emphasizing that any such communication is fraudulent. The Hong Kong Police Force, as part of China's INTERPOL membership, is actively working with service providers to combat these online threats and protect citizens.

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To confirm that INTERPOL never contacts members of the public directly, never demands money from people and never asks for bank details or any money transfer. Any such request or advert is fake. Members of the public should not engage and report any such emails or adverts to the local police.

While Meta has taken down the offending ads and claims to prioritize fighting scams with AI-powered detection, a Reuters report suggests the company profits significantly from such fraudulent advertising. This raises serious questions about the effectiveness of Meta's content moderation and its commitment to user safety when financial incentives are involved. For Hong Kong, a city that has seen its share of financial scams, this serves as a stark reminder of the constant vigilance required in the digital age.

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The flagged Facebook Page and associated ads have been removed for violating our policies. Fighting scams on our platforms is one of our top priorities and as scammers have grown in sophistication in recent years, so have our efforts. We use AI-powered detection technology to identify and remove scam ads at scale, and we also encourage anyone who encounters suspicious ads to report them through our in-app tools.