Celebrity Investment Scam Victims In Japan Sue Facebook, Seek $148,000 In Damages

The four scam victims demanded Facebook Japan, owned by the US group Meta, to pay $148,000 in damages.

Four scam victims in Japan sued Facebook on Thursday after being hoodwinked by fraudulent online investment ads that used images of celebrities without their consent, their lawyer said.

Online hoaxes posted on Facebook and other social media channels in Japan led to 27.8 billion yen ($178 million) in losses last year, according to the National Police Agency.

The four filed the case with Kobe District Court demanding Facebook Japan, owned by US group Meta, pay 23 million yen ($148,000) in damages, according to their lawyer.