Surge in scam on social media as 40% of finance ads now high risk

Social media has now overtaken email as the UK’s top scam channel, accounting for over a third (34%) of reported online scam incidents. Shockingly, Meta platforms are exposing users to a staggering 15 billion “high-risk” scam ads every single day, with these dodgy adverts generating roughly $7 billion in annualised revenue for the social media giant.

But where in the world are users most at risk from online financial scams – and what phrases do scammers most commonly use to lure them in?

As money lost to investment scams in the UK leapt 55% in a single year, forex broker experts at BrokerChooser scraped the Meta Ads Library and analysed over 1,200 active finance-related ads to identify the countries where social media users are most vulnerable.

Key findings of study into scam on social media

• UK social media users remain at risk despite lower exposure, with over two in five finance-related Meta ads (43.36%) targeting Brits classified as ‘high-risk’.
• Poland and Czech Republic are the most exposed markets, with all Meta finance ads deemed dodgy and more than three-quarters lacking proper risk disclaimers.
• A sharp rise in ads promoting AI-powered trading bots was identified, often promising guaranteed profits and accurate signals while failing to disclose risks.
• Fraudsters tend to exploit personal messaging apps, directing users to Instagram and WhatsApp to bypass platform detection.
• Adam Nasli, Head Broker Analyst from BrokerChooser, highlighted the surge in investment scams on social media and the red flag scam phrases users should watch for in their feeds.

Where in the world are social media users the most at risk of financial scams?

One-third of UK finance ads on Meta lack proper risk disclaimers

Despite recording one of the lowest financial scam ad rates on Meta, UK social media users remain at considerable risk, with a worrying 44.25% of finance-related Meta ads classified as ‘dodgy’. While a majority (55.75%) of ads are considered safe, the fact that over two in five finance ads (43.36%) are deemed high risk means many users continue to encounter potentially misleading financial promotions in their feeds.

According to BrokerChooser‘s analysis, these risky ads tend to promise rapid profits while downplaying potential losses. Over a third (36.28%) of UK financial ads fail to include proper risk disclaimers and often use exaggerated, persuasive language such as “multiply your potential up to 20x!” and “instant payouts with 99.9% processed immediately”. Particularly concerning is the rise of AI-powered trading bots marketed for forex and crypto, often directing users to contact sellers via WhatsApp, a platform largely unregulated with minimal consumer protection.

Poland and Czech Republic face highest risk from social media financial scams

Social media users in Poland and the Czech Republic face the greatest exposure to financial scams online, with all (100%) finance-related Meta ads identified as either risky or outright scams.

In Poland, the scale of misleading content is striking: roughly 95% of financial ads lack proper risk disclaimers and rely on exaggerated claims to entice users. Many promote high-leverage proprietary trading models that promise easy access to large sums of capital and imply guaranteed returns. Phrases such as “gives you up to $400K in buying power with none of your own capital at risk” and rapid wealth narratives like “turn $5K to $400K In just 6 weeks” create a dangerously misleading impression of low risk and effortless profit.

A similar pattern is evident in the Czech Republic, where every finance-related Meta ad analysed was considered high risk. Almost three-quarters (73.68%) of ads lack risk disclaimers, while nearly 80% promote extreme profit claims.

Belgium ranks among the top three highest-risk countries, with a striking 93.85% of finance-related Meta ads classified as dodgy. Just 6.15% of ads were considered safe, while risky ads accounted for 87.69%. Alarmingly, AI-driven trading features prominently in several Belgian ads, with bold claims like “get super accurate AI-powered entry and exit signals – no guesswork” and “the trading bot starts working and making profits”, potentially posing a serious threat to unsuspecting users.

Spot the scam: Top fraud phrases in Meta finance ads revealed

Adam Nasli, Head Broker Analyst from BrokerChooser, commented on the rise of investment scams across social media:

“Social media has become a fertile hunting ground for financial scammers,  reaching billions of users online. Our analysis reveals that many high-risk ads rely heavily on persuasive, attention-grabbing language while avoiding clear risk disclosure.

Common red flags include phrases like “unlock $400K”, “instant funding” and “free trading”, often paired with prompts directing users to private messaging apps such as Instagram, WhatsApp or Telegram. By moving interactions off-platform, scammers bypass moderation, avoid detection and manipulate users directly in a one-on-one setting.

Prop trading ads are especially widespread on social platforms, promoting access to large trading capital with minimal upfront cost and implying low or guaranteed risk. In practice, many users pay repeated fees to take trading “challenges” with strict rules and high failure rates. These tactics exploit powerful psychological triggers, like fast wealth, professional status and exclusivity, leading novice investors to underestimate risk and suffer significant financial losses. Education, due diligence, and scepticism toward exaggerated claims remain the best defence.

In addition, choosing brokers with top-tier regulation, diversifying risk by using multiple providers, and remaining sceptical of investment advice from unknown individuals who initiate (or originally initiated) contact via social media can further help protect investors’ funds.”

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