Dhaka, Mar 28 (V7N) – A growing wave of fake news and fraudulent advertisements on Facebook and Instagram has put Meta users at risk, with scammers creating 39 fake websites of well-known media outlets.

According to a report by research institute Dismiss Lab, fraudsters from at least 36 countries are working together to steal users' personal data and money through fake news campaigns. The deception started a few months ago when a doctored image of financial advisor Dr. Saleh Uddin Ahmed went viral, falsely claiming that Bangladesh Bank had sued and arrested him for promoting an online investment scheme. The entire story turned out to be fabricated.

The country is heavily affected by such scams, with Facebook and Instagram being the main platforms used to spread them. Clicking on these deceptive links redirects users to fake news websites featuring false reports about public figures.

Some of the most frequently misrepresented figures in Bangladesh include:

  • Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus

  • Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

  • Recently departed advisor Nahid Islam

  • Businessman Aziz Khan

  • Actress Sadia Ayman

Dismiss Lab found that similar fraudulent activities are rampant in countries like India, Malaysia, Singapore, Nigeria, Ghana, Germany, France, Canada, Chile, and Qatar.

Actress Sadia Ayman has spoken out against these scams, urging authorities to identify and take action against those behind them. "We must find out who is spreading these false reports and why. They should be held accountable," she said.

  • Paid advertisements on social media promote fake news articles.

  • Clicking on the link leads users to fraudulent investment schemes.

  • Once users log in, their personal and financial data are stolen.

  • These scams are especially effective in Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, and parts of Africa, where online investment interest is high.

Cybersecurity expert Sumon Ahmed Sabir highlighted that children addicted to online games are also being targeted. Scammers trick them into sharing parents' credit card details and use blackmail tactics. Similar scams have led to suicides among children in the Philippines and the U.S.

Meta has already shut down thousands of fake accounts and pages involved in these fraudulent activities. However, experts stress that users must stay vigilant, avoid clicking on unverified links, and report fake news or scam advertisements when they see them.

Authorities and digital security experts urge people to verify news from official sources and refrain from sharing unverified reports to help combat the spread of online deception.

END/MSS/AJ