Meta Removes Malicious Ads in India Following Government Fraud Warning

Meta Platforms has removed dozens of advertisements from its Facebook and Instagram platforms after the Indian government flagged a coordinated campaign using sexually explicit content to lure users into downloading malicious software designed to steal banking information.

Government Advisory and Ad Removal

The Indian government issued an advisory on Monday after observing a rise in financial fraud linked to what it described as "malicious Android applications masquerading as pornography apps." According to the advisory, ads for apps with names like "Night Play" and "Kyss" were directing users to phishing websites.

Following the government's announcement, a Reuters investigation found at least 39 such ads remained active on Meta's platforms. The ads, many using explicit video thumbnails to entice clicks, were subsequently removed by Meta after being flagged by the news agency. According to the report, Meta did not respond to requests for comment.

The Financial Threat

The scheme represents a significant threat as India grapples with rising cybercrime. The country recorded nearly $2.4 billion in cyber-fraud losses in 2025, according to government data, as criminals increasingly exploit the nation's growing digital payments ecosystem.

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The fraudulent ads prompted users to download an application file directly, bypassing the security of official app stores. The government warned that this malware could secretly access information on a user's phone, capture one-time passwords and bank PINs, and execute unauthorized financial transactions.

Broader Context and Platform Policies

This incident marks the second time in recent weeks that Indian authorities have publicly raised concerns about a major U.S. technology platform being used for financial fraud. Previously, the government directed Google to shut down hundreds of accounts on its Firebase platform that were allegedly used by criminals to impersonate major banks, as reported by Reuters.

Meta's own advertising policies explicitly prohibit content containing "adult nudity and sexual activity" as well as ads for "schemes or offers using identified deceptive or misleading practices." A previous Reuters report noted that Meta had internally projected that scam and banned goods advertising could generate a significant portion of its revenue, despite public commitments to crack down on such content.