Manhattan DA Calls on Meta to Remove Fraudulent Facebook and WhatsApp Accounts

Alvin Bragg says imposter accounts have led to tens of thousands in fraudulent transfers, urges Meta to take action against scammers targeting vulnerable populations.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:39pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked smartphone screen reflecting a distorted Facebook logo, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the harsh reality of social media fraud.A harsh, gritty close-up of the digital tools used to perpetrate social media fraud, exposing the stark reality behind the scams targeting vulnerable populations.NYC Today

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is calling on Meta, the parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp, to remove imposter accounts that are being used to defraud users, particularly immigrant populations. Bragg says these fraudulent 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 has urged Meta to allow law enforcement to report such accounts, suspend suspect profiles, and ensure users claiming to represent legal service providers are legitimate.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges social media platforms face in policing their sites for criminal activity, as scammers constantly evolve new tactics to exploit vulnerable users. It also raises questions about Meta's responsibility to proactively protect its users from fraud, especially marginalized communities that may be targeted.

The details

According to Bragg, the scammers create fake Facebook and WhatsApp accounts that mirror the profiles of legitimate organizations offering pro bono legal services, frequently using the names and logos of those groups to appear credible. They then pose as lawyers associated with those organizations and coax money from unsuspecting victims, often targeting immigrant populations. Bragg's office has received about one complaint per month related to this scam, which has also prompted warnings from Catholic Charities chapters in several cities.

  • Bragg sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on April 8, 2026 demanding the company take action after previous 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 fraudulent accounts being used to defraud users, particularly immigrant populations.

Mark Zuckerberg

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

Catholic Charities

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

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge social media platforms face in policing their sites for criminal activity, as scammers constantly evolve new tactics to exploit vulnerable users. It also raises questions about Meta's responsibility to proactively protect its users, especially marginalized communities, from fraud and other malicious activity.