A recent Which? survey has found that Meta's social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, are central to the UK's scam epidemic. The consumer group's research, which surveyed 1,501 UK adults defrauded over the past two years, revealed that 63% of victims encountered scams involving at least one app or website.
Social media was the primary channel for 55% of online scams reported. Among these, Meta-owned services were frequently cited, with Facebook involved in 28% of authorised-fraud cases, WhatsApp in 17%, and Instagram in 10%.
The survey also highlighted difficulties for victims in recovering their money. While 37% of those targeted on Amazon recovered all their funds, this figure dropped to 21% for Facebook and 15% for WhatsApp. Approximately half of those scammed on Meta platforms received no money back, specifically 47% on Facebook and 53% on WhatsApp.
Chiara Cavaglieri, a Which? fraud expert, stated that the UK's fragmented approach to fraud prevention makes it easier for fraudsters. She suggested that online platforms, telecoms providers, and financial institutions need to collaborate more effectively by sharing intelligence.