Facebook Scams
How scammers exploit Facebook's reach — and how to protect yourself.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Facebook's enormous user base and mix of personal connections, public groups, and a built-in marketplace make it one of the most-used platforms for online fraud. Scammers create convincing fake profiles, clone the accounts of real friends, or run paid ads for products that never arrive.
Marketplace transactions attract fake buyers and sellers, romance scams target people in community groups, and investment schemes spread through shares and recommendations that appear to come from trusted contacts. Because Facebook ties into real identities, fraudulent posts and messages can look unusually credible.
This guide explains the most common scams on Facebook, the warning signs, and the steps you can take to protect yourself and report fraud.
Common scams on Facebook
Facebook Marketplace fraud
Fake sellers list items, collect payment, and never deliver; fake buyers send counterfeit payment proof to steal goods.
Cloned-friend account scams
A duplicate profile of a Facebook friend sends a friend request, then asks for money or personal information.
Investment and crypto scheme ads
Paid ads or celebrity-impersonation posts lure users into fake trading platforms promising high returns.
Lottery and prize scams
Notifications claim the user has won a draw and must pay a fee or provide banking details to claim the prize.
Fake online stores via Facebook ads
Ads promote deep-discount goods; the shop takes payment but ships nothing or sends counterfeit items.
Common red flags
- A friend request from someone already on your friends list (cloned account)
- Marketplace listings priced far below market value
- Sellers insisting on payment by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency
- Investment opportunities shared by friends that promise guaranteed returns
- Ads for designer goods at implausibly low prices
- Any request to move a conversation off Facebook before completing a deal
- Lottery win notifications for draws you never entered
How to protect yourself
- Enable two-factor authentication on your Facebook account
- Pay for Marketplace goods only through Facebook's protected payment system — avoid off-platform transfers
- Verify a friend request by messaging your real friend through a known number before accepting
- Research sellers: check profile age, reviews, and community history before sending money
- Treat investment tips arriving through Facebook posts or messages with deep scepticism
- Review your privacy settings so strangers cannot easily clone your profile photos
How to report it
- Use the 'Report' option on the post, ad, profile, or Marketplace listing
- If you paid and were defrauded, contact your bank or payment provider immediately
- Report to your national fraud authority (e.g. Action Fraud in the UK, FTC in the US)
- Report fake ads to Meta's ad-reporting tool
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to buy and sell on Facebook Marketplace?
Many legitimate transactions happen on Marketplace, but it also attracts fraud. Reduce risk by meeting locally for high-value items, using Facebook's built-in checkout for online purchases, and never paying by gift card or wire transfer.
A friend's cloned account messaged me asking for money. What should I do?
Do not send anything. Call or text your real friend directly to confirm. Report the fake profile to Facebook using the three-dot menu on the profile page.
How do I tell if a Facebook ad is for a scam store?
Check when the Facebook Page was created, look for reviews outside Facebook, search the domain name, and be wary of prices that seem too good to be true — especially for electronics, clothing, or seasonal items.