Manhattan DA Calls on Meta to Remove Imposter Accounts Defrauding Users

Alvin Bragg says Facebook and WhatsApp accounts posing as legal aid groups have led to thousands in fraudulent transfers

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:39pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked smartphone screen reflecting a distorted image, conceptually illustrating the digital evidence behind a social media fraud scheme.A harsh, gritty close-up of the digital evidence behind a growing social media fraud scheme targeting vulnerable communities.Baltimore Today

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is urging Meta, the parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp, to take action against imposter accounts on its platforms that are defrauding users, particularly immigrant populations. Bragg says these fake accounts, which pose as organizations like Catholic Charities offering pro bono legal services, have led to tens of thousands of dollars in fraudulent transfers. He is demanding Meta allow law enforcement to report such accounts, suspend suspicious profiles, and ensure users claiming to represent legal aid groups are legitimate.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of social media platforms being used by scammers to target vulnerable populations. Imposter accounts on Facebook and WhatsApp are enabling fraud that can have serious financial and legal consequences for victims. Prosecutors like Bragg are putting pressure on tech companies to do more to protect users from these kinds of deceptive practices.

The details

According to Bragg, the scammers behind these imposter accounts claim to be lawyers offering immigration services, coaxing money from unsuspecting victims. His office has received about one complaint per month related to this scam, which has become so prevalent that Catholic Charities chapters in several cities have posted warnings on their Facebook pages. The scammers either create public Facebook accounts mirroring real pro bono legal services organizations, or WhatsApp profiles posing as immigration lawyers associated with those groups, often using the names and logos of legitimate nonprofits.

  • Bragg sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on April 8, 2026 demanding action after requests to remove false profiles were declined.
  • New Mexico recently won a $375 million civil case that held Meta liable for failing to police its sites for child predators.
  • A jury in Los Angeles found Meta, along with 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, on Facebook and WhatsApp.

Mark Zuckerberg

The CEO of Meta, the parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp, who Bragg has demanded take action against the fraudulent accounts.

Catholic Charities

A nonprofit organization that provides legal services, 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 Zuckerberg or his representatives to ensure Meta takes the necessary steps to address the issue of imposter accounts defrauding users on Facebook and WhatsApp.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of social media platforms being exploited by scammers, and the need for tech companies to take more proactive measures to protect vulnerable users from fraud and deception. Prosecutors like Bragg are putting increasing pressure on platforms like Meta to improve their enforcement and detection systems to prevent these kinds of imposter account scams.