Andrew Forrest launches criminal action against Facebook over scam ads that used his image

Andrew Forrest is taking on Facebook in court. ‘It’s in the public interest for more to be done to ensure fraud on social media platforms is eliminated or significantly reduced,’ he says. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

The Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest has launched criminal proceedings against Facebook alleging the tech giant breached federal anti-money laundering laws by not cracking down sufficiently on scam ads that used his image.

The action in the Western Australia magistrates court is the first time Facebook has faced criminal charges anywhere in the world, Forrest said on Thursday.