A major investigation by Reuters, published December 15, 2025, has put Meta under the spotlight again. The report claims the social media giant knowingly allowed fraudulent ads—many from China—to generate billions in revenue, even as internal probes flagged the risks. 

Scam ads often use AI deepfakes or fake celebrity endorsements to trick users into clicking and losing money.

Key details from the Reuters special report:

• China-based ads brought Meta over $18 billion in 2024.
• About $3+ billion allegedly tied to scams and banned content like illegal gambling and porn.
• Fraudulent ads made up a significant chunk, with China labeled the top “scam exporting nation.”
• A temporary anti-fraud team reduced issues but was disbanded amid revenue concerns.

Scam ads often use AI deepfakes or fake celebrity endorsements to trick users into clicking and losing money.

Meta disputes some interpretations, saying they aggressively fight fraud and have removed millions of bad ads. CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly pushed for redoubled efforts.