Published on: December 16, 2025, 09:00h.
Updated on: December 16, 2025, 09:17h.
- Meta attributes a significant portion of scam advertisements to Chinese sources.
- Despite efforts to combat fraudulent activities, Meta continues to see substantial revenue from deceptive enterprises.
- These illicit ads often promote unauthorized online gambling operations.
An inquiry by Reuters reveals that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has profited handsomely from enterprises, primarily in China, that engage in global consumer deceit.
According to the London-based news outlet, in 2024, Meta’s advertising income from Chinese firms surpassed $18 billion, representing more than 10% of the company’s total global revenue.
Meta estimates that approximately 19% of this revenue, equating to over $3 billion, stemmed from advertisements promoting scams, illegal gambling, adult content, and other prohibited materials.
Reuters disclosed this financial information following access to confidential Meta documents.
Chinese users are barred from using Meta’s social platforms, which include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, Threads, and Workplace.
Impact on Consumers
The documents obtained by Reuters indicate that consumers have suffered financial losses from purchasing counterfeit health products, investing in dishonest ventures, and gambling on unregulated sites where the odds are heavily skewed against them.
“We must make significant investments to alleviate the growing harms,” Meta employees cautioned in April 2024.
In response, Meta assembled an anti-fraud task force to examine ads hailing from China, resulting in a decrease of Meta’s ad revenue from the nation from 19% to 9%.
Nonetheless, last month, Meta reported it earns roughly $7 billion annually from ads classified as “high risk,” which encompasses scams, illegal gambling, and other prohibited products. Meta designates the People’s Republic as its leading “Scam Export Nation” and the largest origin of advertisement fraud.
China’s influence on scam advertising is so extensive that Meta has observed a marked reduction in fraudulent promotions during major holidays, such as the October Golden Week, when most workers enjoy a week-long holiday.
“The Chinese government refrains from intervening when violations target international audiences,” states a study by the London consulting firm Propellerfish commissioned by Meta regarding scam advertisements.
The analysis concluded that “ad optimization experts” have effectively exploited vulnerabilities within Meta’s ad safeguarding mechanisms to bypass bans on scams and fraudulent content.
Online Gambling in China
Gambling activities, including online casinos, are illegal in China, with Macau being the sole exception—a Special Administrative Region recognized as the premier global gaming market.
Illicit online casinos operating from overseas have long targeted Chinese consumers, with key locations for such operations including the Philippines, Malta, Curacao, the Isle of Man, Anjouan, Gibraltar, and Ukraine.
Recently, the Philippines has begun dismantling its online gaming sector. At the behest of Beijing, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. directed the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to revoke all licenses for Philippines Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).