Australian prosecutors drop billionaire Forrest's case against Meta

Fortescue's founder and executive chairman Andrew Forrest speaks during an interview with Reuters, in Beijing, China March 23, 2024. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian prosecutors have discontinued mining magnate Andrew Forrest's criminal prosecution of Meta over what he said were thousands of scam cryptocurrency advertisements on Facebook that feature his face.

The decision is a setback for Forrest, the 37% owner of iron ore producer Fortescue Metals Group and Australia's second-richest person, in his quest to hold the internet giant accountable for the ads. A separate civil lawsuit he has filed against Meta over the ads in California is ongoing.