Gina Rinehart and Dick Smith take another brutal swipe at Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg over ‘illegal scams’
Australia's richest woman Gina Rinehart and millionaire entrepreneur Dick Smith are fed up with being the subject of AI-generated scam ads on Facebook – and have written a scathing letter to Mark Zuckerburg.
Ms Rinehart and Mr Smith are leading a group of outraged influential Australians against Meta's CEO over a scam that uses their 'likeness' to target vulnerable Facebook and Instagram users.
Mr Smith claims that scammers have been using AI tools to manipulate his voice and face to sell fake cryptocurrency and diets for more than two years.
This week, he and Ms. Rinehart sent Mr. Zuckerberg a second letter directly asking him to better filter ads on his websites.
Gina Rinehart (above) and Dick Smith have written to Mark Zuckerberg about their 'likeness' being used in scam ads
The ultra-rich duo claim Zuckerberg (above) isn't doing enough to remove AI-generated scam ads from his social media platforms, like Facebook and Instagram
“We are once again writing to you with great concern about the ongoing problem of scam advertisements and fraudulent content on Meta's platforms,” the letter reads. The Australian reports.
“Unfortunately, despite our previous correspondence, it appears that there has been no discernible improvement in mitigating these malicious activities.
“In the past month since our first communication, new scams have emerged and existing scams remain active.”
It comes less than a month after Ms Rinehart accused Mr Zuckerberg in a personal letter of doing nothing to stop “misleading content” on his social media platforms.
She told him that “numerous scammers” used her image to “fraudulently solicit money from vulnerable people” in more than 750 advertisements.
Similar scams have also used mining magnate Andrew Forrest and prominent real estate developer Harry Triguboff to sell dodgy products.
It comes less than a month after Ms Rinehart accused Mr Zuckerberg in a personal letter of doing nothing to stop “misleading content” on his social media platforms such as Facebook.
Dick Smith (above) said he's been going back and forth with Facebook for two years to try to remove scam ads from their websites
Ms Rinehart claims she has received no response or confirmation that her messages have been received.
“These fraudulent schemes continue to exploit the trust of millions of Australians, using the names and reputations of successful and highly regarded individuals, including ourselves and several other prominent figures,” she said.
Mr Smith accused Meta of “instigating a financial scam” which he believes is causing Australians to lose millions of dollars.
Ny Breaking Australia has contacted Meta for comment.