From the Stock Exchange to Tamir Mandovsky: The "Stars" of the Financial Fraud Industry on Facebook

A study by Stark Security reveals that in October 2026, at least 26,000 financial scam ads were published on Facebook and Instagram, impersonating entities such as the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, IBI, and Bank Leumi, as well as influencers like Dor Ati and Gilad Altshuler. 95% of the ads directed users to WhatsApp or Telegram groups.

A new study by Stark Security reveals that in October 2026, at least 26,000 financial scam ads were published on Facebook and Instagram, using 1,005 different pages. The ads impersonated well-known entities such as the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (4,846 ads), IBI Investment House (4,278 ads), Bank Leumi (1,340 ads), and Bank Hapoalim (808 ads). Additionally, the faces of financial influencers were used, including Dor Ati (approximately 6,500 ads), Gilad Altshuler (466 ads), and Micha Stokes (202 ads). 95% of the ads directed users to WhatsApp or Telegram groups, where scammers attempted to build trust and encourage investments in small stocks. The study found that 82% of scam ads carried at least two out of four warning signs. The article notes that Bank Leumi filed a lawsuit for 26.6 million shekels against Meta, claiming it enables the scams, and that in the US, losses from social media scams in 2025 reached $2.1 billion.