The aim of the study is to examine and document the fraud ecosystem on meta-platforms (Facebook, Instagram) as an example, in order to identify national and Europe-wide developments in this area. In close and ongoing coordination with the commissioning body, the study is intended to provide evidence-based insights into the following thematic areas and research questions:
(1) Which fraud schemes involve advertisements? (e.g., investment fraud, ghost stores/fake shops, medication and dietary supplement fraud, job fraud, subscription traps)
(2) Which keywords are suitable for identifying fraudulent ads?
(3) How many fraudulent ads can be found per fraud scheme using the identified keywords?
(4) When and for how long are the ads active?
(5) In which EU countries are the advertisements running?
(6) What is the reach of the advertisements per fraud scheme?
(7) To which groups of people (location, age, gender) are the advertisements displayed?
(8) Who are the advertisers, beneficiaries, and payers? What patterns can be identified?
(9) What strategies and narratives are used to promote the scams?
(10) Which types of scams achieve the highest reach?
(11) How (often) is AI/deepfake technology used?
(12) What is the ratio of fraudulent to legitimate “high-risk” keywords?
(13) Which target groups are addressed?
(14) What infrastructure is used?
(15) Are Austrian brokerage services used?
ÖIAT Research & Innovation
The Austrian Institute for Applied Telecommunications (ÖIAT) has been promoting the competent, safe and responsible use of digital media for more than 20 years. Together with our partners, we conduct research on current topics related to the digital world. On this page we provide an overview of past and current research projects.
Fraud Ecosystem Online Advertising
Coordination
Funding
Contact
Valentine Auer
Co-Head of Research & Innovation
auer@oiat.at
+43-1-595 2112-27
2025/12 –
2026/02
Cybercrime
Fraud
Fraudulent Advertising