Meta Platforms has removed dozens of advertisements from Facebook and Instagram after Indian authorities flagged a pattern of ads using sexually explicit content to lure users into downloading malware capable of stealing banking credentials and draining bank accounts.
The development comes as cyber fraud continues to pose a growing threat in India, which recorded nearly $2.4bn in cyber-fraud losses in 2025, according to government data.
Scam operators have increasingly targeted the country’s rapidly expanding digital payments ecosystem.
The Indian government said some of the flagged advertisements, which operated under names including “Night Play” and “Kyss”, directed users to phishing websites.
It also warned of increasing financial fraud involving malicious Android applications disguised as pornography apps.
Reuters reported it found at least 39 of the advertisements still active after the government issued its advisory on Monday.
Several used sexually explicit video thumbnails to attract users and encourage them to click.
Meta subsequently removed all the advertisements after Reuters alerted the company and sought comment on the government’s advisory.
The U.S. technology company’s advertising policies prohibit adult nudity and sexual activity in ads.
Its rules also ban advertisements promoting products, services, schemes or offers that use deceptive or misleading practices, including those designed to defraud users.
The latest action marks the second time in recent weeks that Indian authorities have raised concerns about financial fraud linked to a major technology platform.
It was previously reported that the Indian government directed Google to shut down hundreds of accounts on its Firebase platform after discovering that criminals were using the service to impersonate major banks.
Meta has previously faced scrutiny over the scale of fraudulent advertising on its platforms.
It was reported last year that the company had internally projected that scam and banned-goods advertising could account for about 10 per cent of its 2024 revenue, equivalent to roughly $16bn, even as Meta said it was strengthening efforts to combat such advertisements.
