Disappointed minister chides Meta on social media scams

Tech companies have been called on to lift their game in preventing scams on social media. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

One-fifth of all Australian money lost to scams is fleeced via social media platforms and the government says well-resourced tech giants can do more to protect users.

Nearly 3800 people reported $15.9 million in losses to scammers that started on social media platforms or online forums, according to the National Anti-Scam Centre's second quarterly update since its inception.