Malaysia warns Meta over illegal gambling ads and scam content on Facebook

Malaysia is increasing pressure on Meta to remove illegal gambling advertisements and fraudulent content from Facebook, with Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil warning that legal action could be considered if cooperation does not improve.

Malaysia is stepping up pressure on Meta over the spread of illegal gambling advertisements, scam content and other fraudulent material on Facebook. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government is considering possible legal action against Facebook over what it sees as a lack of cooperation in tackling online scams and harmful content on the platform.

Fahmi said the matter had been handed to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, which will contact Facebook and give the company an opportunity to show that it is willing to work with the government. His comments came after Malaysian authorities reported a large number of takedown requests involving scams and gambling-related content.

According to Fahmi, MCMC has made 271,472 requests to digital platforms to remove harmful content, with 91% involving online scams and gambling. The scale of the problem has increased pressure on platforms to act faster, especially when removed advertisements or accounts reappear soon after takedown.

The issue is not new for Malaysia. In September 2025, Fahmi had already raised concerns over Meta’s failure to remove online gambling and scam content from its platforms. That meeting involved Meta representatives as well as officials from the police, Attorney General’s Chambers, Home Ministry, Finance Ministry, National Financial Crime Prevention Centre and National Cyber Security Agency, showing that the problem is being treated as a cross-agency enforcement issue.

The pressure also comes as Malaysia prepares a stronger online safety framework. Earlier this month, Fahmi said the government was examining possible action against Meta if it continued failing to curb fake accounts and scam content. Reports noted that the upcoming Online Safety Act could include fines of up to RM1 million, daily fines of RM100,000 and penalties that may reach RM10 million.

Illegal gambling promotion is particularly sensitive in Malaysia because online betting and gambling advertisements often overlap with fraud, fake investment schemes and impersonation accounts. These campaigns can be used not only to attract users to illegal gambling platforms, but also to collect personal data, move money through suspicious channels and expose users to broader cybercrime risks.

For Malaysia, the dispute with Meta is becoming a test of platform accountability. The government is no longer treating illegal gambling ads as isolated content violations, but as part of a wider online-crime ecosystem. If Meta does not improve detection, removal and prevention, Malaysian authorities may move from takedown requests to formal enforcement measures, setting a stronger precedent for how social media companies are expected to handle illegal gambling and scam content in the country.