Taiwan's Anti-Fraud Command Center Demands Algorithm Change from Meta Over Rampant Scams on Threads
Taiwan's Executive Yuan Anti-Fraud Command Center stated on the 20th that Meta's platforms, especially Threads, are primary channels for scammers, with agricultural product scams being prevalent. Citing over 14,000 cases and NT$1.36 billion in losses from Jan to Apr, the center demands Meta immediately modify its algorithms and detection systems to block fraud at the source, threatening new regulations and penalties if the company fails to act.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 20:17
- 🔍 Collected: May 20, 2026 at 20:32 (14 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 21:02 (30 min after Collected)
(CNA reporter Lai Yu-chen, Taipei, 20th) The Executive Yuan's Anti-Fraud Command Center stated today that social media platforms owned by Meta are a primary channel for fraud groups, with agricultural product shopping scams on the Threads platform being particularly rampant. The center demanded that Meta must immediately and proactively modify its algorithms and detection systems to block repetitive fraudulent posts at the source, warning that corresponding regulatory measures and penalties will be proposed through legal amendments if necessary.
The Anti-Fraud Command Center explained via a press release today that according to statistics from the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the National Police Agency, from January 1 to April 30 this year, there were 14,073 fraud cases involving Meta's social media platforms, accounting for 84.31% of all cases. The total financial loss was NT$1,361,781,574, making up 86.2% of total losses, which shows that Meta's platforms remain a primary channel for fraud groups.
The command center said that among these, fraudulent online shopping posts prevalent on the Threads platform mainly feature seasonal and topical products. The majority involve agricultural products like garlic, mangosteen, lychee, peaches, avocados, and mangoes, falsely associated with government agencies. Other scams include low-price clearance sales of items like iPhones, Switch 2, and PS5s under the pretext of store closures, or scams involving free giveaways for supposed new openings.
The command center emphasized that Meta should fix its technical loopholes, proactively modify its algorithms, and establish a "Repetitive Fraudulent Content Identification Mechanism" to intercept information already flagged as fraudulent in a timely manner, rather than just taking remedial action. It should also establish an "Official Identity Verification" system to provide more convenient and credible "identity verification services" for local small business operators, helping consumers distinguish between legitimate businesses and fraudulent accounts and protecting the viability of lawful businesses.
The command center also stated that if Meta continues to respond passively, it will, when necessary, propose corresponding regulatory measures and penalties in a further amendment to the "Fraud Crime Harm Prevention Act." It would consider using the "number of victims" or "number of fraudulent posts" as the basis for imposing heavy fines, requiring platform operators in Taiwan to respect Taiwan's rule of law and the public's property safety.
Regarding fraud victims, the command center said the government will fully support victims and businesses in taking legal action to defend online transaction security, and will also strengthen supervision of platforms and continue to enhance public anti-fraud awareness.
The Anti-Fraud Command Center explained via a press release today that according to statistics from the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the National Police Agency, from January 1 to April 30 this year, there were 14,073 fraud cases involving Meta's social media platforms, accounting for 84.31% of all cases. The total financial loss was NT$1,361,781,574, making up 86.2% of total losses, which shows that Meta's platforms remain a primary channel for fraud groups.
The command center said that among these, fraudulent online shopping posts prevalent on the Threads platform mainly feature seasonal and topical products. The majority involve agricultural products like garlic, mangosteen, lychee, peaches, avocados, and mangoes, falsely associated with government agencies. Other scams include low-price clearance sales of items like iPhones, Switch 2, and PS5s under the pretext of store closures, or scams involving free giveaways for supposed new openings.
The command center emphasized that Meta should fix its technical loopholes, proactively modify its algorithms, and establish a "Repetitive Fraudulent Content Identification Mechanism" to intercept information already flagged as fraudulent in a timely manner, rather than just taking remedial action. It should also establish an "Official Identity Verification" system to provide more convenient and credible "identity verification services" for local small business operators, helping consumers distinguish between legitimate businesses and fraudulent accounts and protecting the viability of lawful businesses.
The command center also stated that if Meta continues to respond passively, it will, when necessary, propose corresponding regulatory measures and penalties in a further amendment to the "Fraud Crime Harm Prevention Act." It would consider using the "number of victims" or "number of fraudulent posts" as the basis for imposing heavy fines, requiring platform operators in Taiwan to respect Taiwan's rule of law and the public's property safety.
Regarding fraud victims, the command center said the government will fully support victims and businesses in taking legal action to defend online transaction security, and will also strengthen supervision of platforms and continue to enhance public anti-fraud awareness.