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Manhattan D.A. Urges Meta to Crack Down on Imposter Legal Accounts on Facebook and WhatsApp

The prosecutor says imposters are stealing tens of thousands from immigrants on the company’s apps.

Overview

  • Bragg, who wrote to CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Friday, asked Meta to let law enforcement flag imposter profiles, suspend suspect accounts, verify claimed ties to legal aid groups, and meet with his office.
  • The D.A.’s office launched a PSA and opened reporting lines, directing victims to call 212-335-3600 or message 347-371-0877 on WhatsApp for help in multiple languages.
  • Scammers copy the names and logos of groups like Catholic Charities, pose as immigration lawyers, push for electronic fees, and keep all contact online to avoid in-person checks.
  • Meta said misrepresentation violates its rules and that it is investing in detection and enforcement tools, though it has not committed to the specific steps Bragg outlined.
  • Chapters of Catholic Charities in Trenton, Houston, and Baltimore have posted warnings, and recurring complaints in New York point to gaps that officials say require stronger platform safeguards.