Scammers are exploiting Meta platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, by running deepfake political ads that target seniors with fake government benefits.
According to the Tech Transparency Project (TTP), 63 scam advertisers collectively spent $49 million on these platforms, often using deepfake videos of American politicians like President Donald Trump.
The scam advertisers used deepfake videos to promote fake stimulus checks, government spending cards, and healthcare payments, reaching tens of thousands of users. Meta disabled 35 ad accounts after they ran dozens or hundreds of ads, with six accounts spending over $1 million before being disabled or deleted.
One advertiser, “Relief Eligibility Center,” ran an ad featuring a deepfake video of Trump falsely promising stimulus checks to Americans. The ad directed users to a website offering a “FREE $5,000 Check from Trump” and targeted men and women over 65 in more than 20 US states.
Meta stated they would “invest in building new technical defenses” as scammers constantly evolve their tactics. According to Meta’s rules, advertisers running political ads in the US must undergo a special authorization process, including submitting an official ID and US mailing address.
The Federal Trade Commission reported a more than four-fold increase since 2020 in complaints from older adults who lost $10,000 or more to scammers impersonating trusted government agencies or businesses. Meta’s response to the scam ads has been to disable accounts, but the company faces ongoing challenges in policing its platform for such scams.
The TTP’s findings highlight the need for continued vigilance in protecting users from online scams, particularly those targeting vulnerable populations like seniors.