American Citizens Lose IDR 447.8 Trillion Due To Social Media Fraud In 2 Years

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JAKARTA - Meta removed 6.8 million WhatsApp accounts in 2025 linked to financial fraud operations. This shows how big the online fraud problem is. Recent reports reveal that in some countries, more than 90% of financial-related ads are risky or even contain fraud, often trapping victims with unrealistical gains and urgency tactics.

We must often see financial ads on the internet that promise high returns, "free" capital, or without commissions. The ads often sound too good to be true and it turns out that most of them are not true.

According to Forex experts on BrokerChoser, Meta recently deleted 6.8 million WhatsApp accounts connected to financial fraud operations in the first half of 2025. This shows how widespread online fraud is.

Financial Fraud Via WhatsApp In The US Market

According to the report, in the last two years, Americans alone have lost 2.7 billion US dollars (Rp447.8 trillion) due to social media fraud. In the US, nearly a quarter (24.21%) of financial advertising on Meta is considered safe.

Most, 62.30%, are actually categorized as risky. These advertisements usually encourage speculative trading schemes without adequate warnings, while the other 13.49% are truly fraudulent.

These suspicious advertisements often direct users to personal messaging applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram to avoid platform moderation. Some of the common tricks used to trap victims include phrases such as "Limited Time" or "Don't Miss", accompanied by invitations such as "Send WhatsApp" or "Telegram Savings".

If you think 30% of suspicious financial ads are bad, it turns out that in some countries, the situation is worse. For example, in markets like South Africa, Turkey, or Belgium, reports find that more than 90% of financial ads are considered risky or fraudulent. Compared to the US, these countries are much more dangerous.

Countries With Highest Fraud Risks

South Africa occupies the top spot in terms of risk. Almost all financial ads in the sample are considered risky or fraudulent, with more than a third (37.50%) confirmed as scams. These ads often promote fake investment groups via WhatsApp to avoid surveillance.

Belgium is in second place, with 94% of financial advertising marked as a risk or fraud. The country faces advertising issues that drive speculative digital currency trading with claims such as "instant accounts", "500K funding", or " your boss's fire".

Turkey occupies the third position, with more than 91% of financial advertising considered suspicious. Many offer "free daily forex signal" or promise "1500 US dollars per week from an investment of 300 US dollars".

Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) completed the top five, with more than 90% of financial advertising considered doubtful. In the UAE, ads often rely on exaggerated pressure and yields, such as "120% takeover of the first payout" or "ROI 220% in 50 days".