Meta Internal Documents Reveal Billions from Fraudulent Ads

Internal documents from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, reveal that the company generates substantial revenue from fraudulent advertising. Reports suggest that Meta earns up to $16 billion annually from “high-risk” ads, which include offers that are often illegal or prohibited in various jurisdictions.

According to information obtained by Reuters, these internal documents indicate that up to 10 percent of Meta’s total revenue may come from ads related to fraudulent goods and services. This translates to an estimated $16 billion each year. The documents also reveal that Meta displays “higher risk advertising” to users approximately 15 billion times daily, a practice that has raised significant concerns about user safety and trust.

A separate document from late 2024 indicates that Meta’s actual revenue from these ads was closer to $7 billion. The company has acknowledged that the internal estimates regarding fraudulent advertising were likely inflated and that the true revenue figures were significantly lower. Meta stated that the information cited in these documents does not accurately reflect its commitment to combating fraudulent ads.

Despite the company’s assertions of striving to reduce the prevalence of fraudulent advertising, the internal documents suggest a complicated reality. There are indications that financial considerations may take precedence over user protection. A report from February 2025 revealed that the team tasked with addressing fraudulent ads was restricted from implementing measures that would result in a loss of more than 0.15 percent of total group sales.

After discussions with Meta’s CEO and founder, Mark Zuckerberg, a gradual plan was set in motion to reduce the company’s reliance on revenue from fraudulent advertising. Projections suggest that by the end of 2025, the revenue from such ads could drop to approximately 7.3 percent, followed by 6 percent in 2026, and around 5.8 percent by the end of 2027.

Another striking revelation from these documents is that Meta reportedly ignores a vast majority of user reports regarding fraudulent ads across its platforms. Internal records indicate that 99 percent of these cases are not pursued further, with the company citing a lack of automated testing capabilities as a primary reason. Nonetheless, Meta has acknowledged the need for improvement in handling user complaints and is working to address this issue.

As these revelations come to light, they underscore the ongoing challenges that Meta faces in balancing revenue generation with user safety. The company’s heavy reliance on high-risk advertising raises questions about ethical practices in the digital advertising space, and the impact on user trust remains to be seen.