Thailand Consumer Watchdog To Sue Meta Over Alleged Facebook Scam Advertisements
Thailand’s consumer watchdog has announced plans to file a lawsuit against Meta, alleging that Facebook failed to adequately prevent scammers from using the platform to defraud users through advertisements and other deceptive activities.
The Consumer Council said on Thursday that the legal action seeks to hold the social media company accountable for consumer protection failures and to push for stronger safeguards on digital platforms.
Meta did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. In previous cases, the company has stated that it invests heavily in systems designed to detect and remove scam content while working alongside regulators and law enforcement agencies to combat fraudulent activity.
Lawsuit Targets Alleged Consumer Protection Failures
The planned lawsuit comes as governments around the world increase scrutiny of social media platforms and digital services amid growing concerns over online fraud, financial scams and other cross-border crimes.
According to the Consumer Council, Facebook has been linked to thousands of consumer complaints in Thailand over the past two years.
Between 2024 and 2026, the watchdog recorded 3,793 complaints connected to the platform. These included cases involving undelivered goods purchased through advertisements, alleged fraudulent investment schemes, identity impersonation using victims’ names and photographs, and fake pages designed to mislead consumers.
The council argues that stronger measures should have been implemented to prevent such activities from reaching users.
Repeated Requests To Address Fraud
The Consumer Council said it has spent more than a year attempting to engage with Meta, both through its parent company and local representatives in Thailand.
According to the watchdog, it repeatedly requested that Facebook remove or block advertisements and pages associated with fraudulent activities. However, it claims those efforts did not produce sufficient action to address the problem.
As a result, the organisation has decided to pursue legal action through the courts.
Facebook’s Large Presence In Thailand
The case carries significant implications given Facebook’s extensive reach in Thailand.
The Consumer Council estimates that approximately 51 million people in the country use Facebook, making it one of the nation’s most widely used social media platforms.
The platform serves as a major channel for communication, commerce and advertising, which has also made it an attractive target for fraudsters seeking to exploit unsuspecting users.
Consumer Protection Standards At The Centre Of The Case
Consumer Council head Saree Ongsomwang said the lawsuit is intended to strengthen accountability for digital platforms and encourage consumer protection standards that align with international expectations.
“The case is based on both legal and ethical concerns about Facebook’s role in allowing fraudulent activities to continue,” she said.
The watchdog believes the legal action could help establish clearer responsibilities for social media companies when dealing with scam advertisements and online fraud.
Civil Suit Planned For June 8
The Consumer Council said it intends to file the civil lawsuit on June 8.
The case reflects a broader global trend in which regulators, consumer groups and governments are demanding greater oversight of digital platforms and stronger protections against online scams.
As social media platforms continue to play a growing role in e-commerce and financial activity, pressure is increasing on technology companies to demonstrate that they can effectively identify, prevent and remove fraudulent content before consumers suffer harm.
With inputs from Reuters
