The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently released the latest statistics revealing that social media platforms have become the dominant channel for fraudsters targeting consumers, leading to unprecedented financial harm. The FTC revealed that in 2025 alone, individuals who fell victim to these schemes reported losing more than $2.1 billion after first encountering the scams on sites like Meta-owned Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
This figure represents nearly 30 percent of all scam-related complaints involving money losses that year, marking social media as the single most expensive method fraudsters used to reach victims.
The data highlight a dramatic escalation: reported losses tied to social media have surged eight times higher than levels recorded in 2020.
Regulators attribute this spike to the platforms’ vast global reach, which allows scammers to connect with billions of users at minimal expense.
Tactics include hijacking legitimate accounts, analyzing personal posts to craft personalized lures, and purchasing targeted advertisements that mimic those from legitimate businesses—filtering victims by age, hobbies, or purchasing history.
Facebook accounted for the highest volume of financial damage among social platforms, far outpacing losses from text messages or emails combined. WhatsApp and Instagram followed as the next most problematic venues, though at a considerable distance.
The trend affected virtually every age bracket. Every group under 80 reported greater losses from social media–initiated fraud than from any other contact method. Even among those 80 and older, social platforms ranked as the second-leading source after traditional phone calls.
Scam varieties exploiting these networks proved especially destructive. Investment fraud topped the list in dollar terms, generating $1.1 billion in reported losses—more than half the social media total.
Perpetrators frequently posted enticing advertisements promising quick training programs or posed as approachable financial mentors.
Others created group chats filled with fabricated success stories from supposed investors to build false credibility. Shopping scams emerged as the most frequently reported category, representing over 40 percent of social media complaints.
Victims typically responded to advertisements for everyday items such as clothing, cosmetics, automotive components, or even pets.
These promotions often directed users to unfamiliar websites or counterfeit pages mimicking trusted brands with suspiciously steep discounts.
Romance fraud also flourished, with nearly 60 percent of victims indicating the deception originated on social media.
Fraudsters studied profile details to customize their approaches, then fabricated emergencies demanding urgent cash or steered conversations toward bogus investment opportunities.
To combat these threats, the FTC urges several protective steps. Users should tighten privacy controls to restrict who can view their posts and messages, reducing the information available for exploitation.
Consumers must never accept investment guidance from individuals met exclusively online and should instead consult independent resources on recognizing fraudulent schemes.
Before completing any purchase prompted by an advertisement, it is essential to research the seller thoroughly by searching the company name alongside terms like “scam” or “complaint.” The FTC now encourages anyone suspecting fraud to visit ftc.gov/scams for guidance on identification, avoidance, and recovery options. Reports can be filed directly at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.