Manhattan DA Calls on Meta to Remove Imposter Accounts Defrauding Users

Alvin Bragg says Facebook and WhatsApp are failing to stop scammers posing as legal aid organizations.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:07pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked and damaged smartphone screen, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the impact of online fraud and scams.Scammers' use of imposter accounts on social media platforms has led to thousands of dollars in fraudulent transfers, particularly targeting vulnerable immigrant communities.Los Angeles Today

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is urging Meta, the parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp, to take action against imposter accounts that are defrauding users, particularly immigrant populations, out of tens of thousands of dollars. Bragg says scammers are creating fake accounts that mimic legitimate pro bono legal services organizations, coaxing money from unsuspecting victims.

Why it matters

This scam targeting vulnerable immigrant communities highlights the ongoing challenges social media platforms face in policing their sites for criminal activity. Prosecutors are increasingly holding tech companies accountable for failing to protect users from fraud and exploitation on their platforms.

The details

According to Bragg, the scammers create public Facebook accounts that mirror real accounts belonging to pro bono legal services organizations, as well as WhatsApp profiles posing as immigration lawyers associated with those same groups. They frequently use the names and logos of legitimate organizations to appear credible. Bragg's office has received about one complaint per month related to this scam, which has resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in fraudulent transfers.

  • Bragg's office has been receiving about one complaint per month related to this scam.
  • Meta recently faced a $375 million civil case in New Mexico for failing to police its sites for child predators, and a jury in Los Angeles found Meta and Google liable for a 20-year-old woman's social media addiction.

The players

Alvin Bragg

The Manhattan District Attorney who is calling on Meta to remove imposter accounts defrauding users, particularly immigrant populations, out of tens of thousands of dollars.

Meta

The parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp, which Bragg says is failing to remove imposter accounts that are part of a growing scam across the country.

Catholic Charities

A non-profit organization that provides pro bono legal services, and whose name and branding have been used by scammers to create fake accounts on Facebook and WhatsApp.

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What they’re saying

“These imposter accounts have led to tens of thousands of dollars of fraudulent transfers. Scammers frequently target immigrant populations because they are perceived to be, and often are, more vulnerable to fraud and in need of a specific type of legal assistance.”

— Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney

“If there's a lawyer who only wants to meet virtually and can't give you a business address, that's a red flag. Catholic Charities, these other organizations that are not-for-profits, they provide these services for free. So just the asking of money in and of itself is something that can be a red flag.”

— Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney

What’s next

Bragg has requested a meeting with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg or his representatives to discuss steps the company can take to address the issue, such as allowing law enforcement to report imposter accounts, suspending suspect accounts, and ensuring users claiming to represent legal services organizations are legitimate.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges social media platforms face in policing their sites for criminal activity, and the growing pressure on tech companies to better protect users from fraud and exploitation. It also underscores the vulnerability of immigrant communities to scams and the importance of raising awareness about red flags to watch out for when seeking legal services.