💡 Why Investment Scam Investigation Is Incomplete Without Facebook Advertisements
Investment scams have emerged as one of the most financially devastating cybercrimes globally. Among all online platforms, Facebook and Instagram advertisements have become the most common tools used by scammers to lure unsuspecting victims.
Let’s consider an example — a deepfake video of a famous finance personality, “Sponsored” through Facebook Ads, reaching over 1,17,000 users. Facebook facilitates such promotions in exchange for payment, giving scammers global visibility. The fraud begins when the user clicks “Learn More” and engages with individuals impersonating officials or financial experts, often using the names of ministers or government schemes.
🌍 A Global Concern
Investment fraud through social media ads is not limited to India — it’s a global menace.
- Singapore Police Mid-Year Report 2025 identified Investment Scams as the category causing the highest financial losses.
- FBI’s Internet Crime Report 2024 also highlights a steep rise in investment fraud cases linked to social platforms.
These scams often originate from Cambodia-based cyber compounds, as discovered in several Indian police investigations.
📱 Why Facebook/Instagram Are Central to the Scam
Scammers sitting thousands of miles away can easily target millions through Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Telegram.
These platforms offer:
- Paid advertisement tools to boost fake investment content.
- Easy victim engagement through direct messages or chatbots.
- Global reach with no physical trace left behind once ads are deleted.
⚠️ The Investigation Challenge
When victims report the scam to 1930 helpline or at a Cyber Police Station, they often don’t remember the initial point of contact.
Since scammers initially provide fake “returns,” victims develop trust over time. By the time they realize the fraud, the original Facebook or Instagram advertisement has vanished.
As a result, FIRs and investigations often focus only on money trail or mule accounts, missing the most critical digital evidence — the advertisement itself.
🧭 How to Investigate Facebook Advertisements
Step 1: Recover Ad Link from Victim’s Account
- Go to the victim’s Instagram App → More → Your Activity → Ad Activity.
- This section lists all ads clicked by the user.
- Ask the victim for the approximate date when they first contacted the scammer.
- If unsure, cross-check WhatsApp or Telegram chat start dates — they often match the ad click date.
- Repeat the process for Facebook if the victim used it.
Step 2: Use Facebook LERS Portal
- Submit a Data Disclosure Request under the Facebook Ads Section.
- If the advertisement has been removed, request profile data of the advertiser who pushed the ad.
- Note: Every advertisement has a unique Library ID — use this ID or full ad library URL in your request.
- Act quickly — scam ads are short-lived and disappear rapidly.
🧾 What to Request in Data Disclosure
When seeking information from Meta (Facebook/Instagram), clearly specify data disclosure under Rule (3)(1)(j) of the IT Rules (under the IT Act), which requires intermediaries to share data within 72 hours.
Recommended fields to request:
- Advertisement Billing and Payment Information
- Advertisement Reach (views, engagement data)
- Phone Number / Email linked with the Ad Account
Once Meta provides this data, further international assistance may be required. Investigators may route such requests via the BharatPol portal of CBI for cross-border coordination.
🌐 A Call for Accountability
Big Tech platforms like Meta have an immense responsibility toward public safety. Given the global reach and financial harm caused by fraudulent advertisements, these intermediaries must:
- Proactively monitor and restrict suspicious “investment” ads.
- Enhance verification of advertisers in the finance and investment category.
- Maintain audit logs even after ad removal for lawful investigation.
Investment scam investigations remain incomplete without examining Facebook and Instagram advertisements — the true starting point of the crime. Without tracing these digital entry points, investigations risk missing key evidence linking the scam to organized groups operating internationally.
Stronger cooperation between law enforcement and social media intermediaries is crucial to protect users and prevent further exploitation of digital platforms for financial frauds.
