Manhattan DA Calls on Meta to Remove Imposter Accounts Defrauding Users

Scammers pose as legal aid organizations on Facebook and WhatsApp, costing victims thousands

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:49am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a smartphone screen displaying a Facebook profile, the harsh lighting and dark background creating a stark, investigative aesthetic without any visible text or identifiable details.A stark, gritty investigation into the rise of imposter accounts on social media platforms used to defraud vulnerable users.Manhattan 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. Scammers are creating fake profiles posing as legal aid organizations and immigration lawyers, leading to tens of thousands of dollars in fraudulent transfers from unsuspecting victims, often targeting immigrant populations. Bragg has demanded that Meta allow law enforcement to report these imposter accounts, suspend suspicious profiles, and ensure users claiming to represent legal services are legitimate.

Why it matters

This scam highlights the ongoing challenges social media platforms face in policing their sites for criminal activity. The proliferation of imposter accounts exploiting vulnerable populations for financial gain raises concerns about user safety and the responsibility of tech companies to protect their users from fraud.

The details

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

  • Bragg's office has been receiving complaints about this scam on a monthly basis.
  • The scam has become so prevalent that Catholic Charities chapters in Trenton, Houston, and Baltimore have posted warnings about it on their Facebook pages.

The players

Alvin Bragg

The Manhattan District Attorney who is calling on Meta to take action against the imposter accounts defrauding users.

Meta

The parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp, which Bragg is urging to remove the imposter accounts and better protect users from fraud.

Catholic Charities

Non-profit organizations that provide legal services, whose names and logos are being used by scammers to create fake profiles and defraud users.

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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 ensure the company takes the necessary steps to address the imposter account issue and protect users from this fraud.

The takeaway

This scam highlights the ongoing challenges social media platforms face in policing their sites for criminal activity. The proliferation of imposter accounts exploiting vulnerable populations for financial gain raises concerns about user safety and the responsibility of tech companies to protect their users from fraud.