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Meta to remove imposter accounts tied to immigration scams, Manhattan DA says
The company pledged action after the DA's office accused it of failing to remove fake profiles posing as legal aid organizations.
Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:58pm
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A harsh, gritty close-up of a damaged device reflects the ongoing challenges of policing social media platforms for criminal activity.Manhattan TodayMeta, the parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp, has agreed to remove imposter accounts linked to scams that were recently flagged by the Manhattan district attorney's office. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg had accused Meta of failing to remove fake profiles posing as organizations like Catholic Charities to offer fraudulent immigration services and scam money from unsuspecting victims.
Why it matters
Scammers often target immigrant populations who may be more vulnerable to fraud and in need of legal assistance. This case highlights ongoing concerns about social media platforms' responsibility to police their sites for criminal activity and protect users from fraud.
The details
According to the DA's office, scammers create public Facebook accounts and WhatsApp profiles that mirror real accounts belonging to pro bono legal services organizations, using their names and logos to appear credible. Bragg said these imposter accounts have led to tens of thousands of dollars in fraudulent transfers.
- Last week, Bragg accused Meta of failing to remove the imposter accounts after previous requests.
- This week, Meta pledged to remove the imposter accounts following a phone call with the DA's office.
The players
Meta
The parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp, which has been accused of failing to remove imposter accounts used in immigration scams.
Alvin Bragg
The Manhattan District Attorney who called out Meta for not removing the fake profiles and demanded the company take action.
Catholic Charities
A legitimate organization that has been impersonated by scammers creating fake social media profiles to offer fraudulent immigration services.
What they’re saying
“These imposter accounts have led to tens of thousands of dollars of fraudulent transfers.”
— Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney
“Account impersonation violates our policies, and we take action against people and groups that attempt to misuse our platforms. We're committed to engaging constructively with all levels of government, law enforcement and cross-sector partners to tackle this industry-wide challenge.”
— Meta spokesperson
What’s next
The Manhattan DA's office will continue to monitor Meta's actions to ensure the imposter accounts are removed as promised.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing challenge of social media platforms policing their sites for criminal activity and protecting vulnerable populations from fraud. It underscores the need for greater collaboration between tech companies, law enforcement, and community organizations to combat these types of scams.
