Bank Leumi Sues Meta for 26 Million Shekels Over Systematic Fraud Ads on Facebook and Instagram

Bank Leumi filed a lawsuit on August 18, 2026, at the Tel Aviv District Court against Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, demanding 26 million shekels. The bank accuses Meta of knowingly enabling the widespread distribution of fraudulent ads impersonating Bank Leumi, profiting from these ads while failing to stop them despite repeated requests. According to the lawsuit, the problem has escalated dramatically, with 243 fraud cases detected in July alone, more than double the total cases identified in the first half of 2026.

The lawsuit, submitted by attorneys Ofer Fleisher, Sivan Barash, and Yehonatan Shulman from Gornitzky & Co., claims Meta has deliberately neglected to adequately address the fraud issue. Bank Leumi states that Meta possesses the necessary tools and information to identify most fraudulent ads before they go live, as these ads are clearly illegitimate on their face. The bank provided numerous examples of scam ads impersonating not only Bank Leumi but also other well-known brands like Rami Levy and Shufersal. These ads lure users with fake prizes such as gift cards, smartwatches, and car raffles, and often lead to phishing websites or fake apps designed to steal personal and financial information.

Bank Leumi argues that Meta’s response has been insufficient and sporadic, allowing the harmful ads to continue while shifting the damage and risk onto the bank, its customers, and the public. The bank also reported that it managed to prevent financial harm totaling approximately 9.2 million shekels during this period. The lawsuit highlights a recent phishing campaign involving fake concert ticket ads for singer Sarit Hadad, which falsely appeared in cooperation with Bank Leumi. The bank’s legal action follows a sharp increase in fraudulent ads in July and ongoing issues into August, emphasizing the urgent need for Meta to take responsibility and act decisively.