Australian mining billionaire files lawsuit against Facebook over scam ads

FILE PHOTO: Andrew Forrest, Australian billionaire and Chief Executive Officer of Fortescue Metals Group, in London, Britain, October 25, 2021. REUTERS/Ben Makori//File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest said on Thursday he is launching criminal proceedings against Meta Platform Inc's Facebook in an Australian court, alleging that it breached anti-money laundering laws and its platform is used to scam Australians.

Forrest, Australia's richest man and chairman of Fortescue Metals Group, said he was taking the action to stop people losing money to clickbait advertising scams, such as ones using his image to promote cryptocurrency schemes.