Meta, TikTok, and Google are facing fresh regulatory pressure in Europe after consumer protection groups accused the platforms of failing to remove fraudulent advertisements linked to online financial scams.
The complaints were filed by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) alongside 29 consumer groups from 27 countries under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Regulators are now being urged to investigate whether the companies violated EU rules requiring large online platforms to combat illegal and harmful content.
According to the consumer organizations, nearly 900 suspicious advertisements were reported between December 2025 and March 2026. However, only 27% of the ads were removed, while more than half of the complaints were either ignored or rejected by the platforms.
Researchers said many of the ads promoted fake investment schemes, fraudulent trading platforms, unrealistic financial returns, and misleading cryptocurrency offers. Consumer groups warned that millions of European users may have been exposed to scams capable of causing significant financial losses.
BEUC Director General Agustín Reyna accused the companies of failing to proactively detect scam advertisements despite repeated warnings and user reports. The organization argued that the platforms continue profiting from fraudulent advertising while enforcement systems remain inconsistent and ineffective.
Meta, Google, and TikTok rejected the allegations and defended their anti-scam efforts. Google stated it blocks more than 99% of policy-violating ads before they become visible to users, while Meta claimed it removed over 159 million scam advertisements during the past year, most before they were reported. TikTok described scam activity as an “industry-wide challenge” involving constantly evolving tactics.
The dispute highlights growing concerns surrounding fraudulent advertising and malvertising across major online platforms. Security researchers have repeatedly warned that scam ads remain highly effective because they often imitate legitimate financial services, celebrity endorsements, or trusted investment brands.
Consumer advocates argue that recommendation algorithms and large-scale advertising systems allow fraudulent campaigns to spread rapidly before moderation teams can react. Several recent investigations and lawsuits have also accused major platforms of prioritizing advertising revenue over stricter scam prevention measures.
Under the Digital Services Act, companies found violating EU platform safety requirements can face penalties of up to 6% of global annual revenue. Consumer groups are now calling for stronger enforcement and faster removal systems to reduce exposure to fraudulent financial advertising online.