Thai watchdog to sue Meta over Facebook scam ads targeting users

Thailand's consumer watchdog announced it will sue Meta, the parent company of Facebook, accusing the platform of enabling scammers to defraud users through advertisements and failing to adequately protect consumers. The Consumer Council stated on Thursday that it plans to file the civil suit on June 8.

Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In past instances, the company has asserted its investment in measures to detect and remove fraudulent content and its collaboration with regulators to combat platform misuse. This planned lawsuit occurs amidst a global trend of governments increasing oversight of social media platforms to combat digital fraud.

Between 2024 and 2026, the Thai Consumer Council documented 3,793 complaints associated with Facebook. These cases include users not receiving purchased goods, alleged fake investment schemes, identity theft through impersonation, and misleading advertisements. The watchdog claims it has attempted to contact Meta for over a year, urging Facebook to block fraudulent ads.

With approximately 51 million Facebook users in Thailand, according to the council, the lawsuit seeks to elevate consumer protection standards on digital platforms to meet international benchmarks. "The case is based on both legal and ethical concerns about Facebook's role in allowing fraudulent activities to continue," said Saree Ongsomwang, head of the Consumer Council.

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The case is based on both legal and ethical concerns about Facebook's role in allowing fraudulent activities to continue.