‘Mental anguish’: how a crypto scam advertised on Facebook cost victim her life savings

Guardian investigation reveals the human stories behind the scams on Meta's social media platforms

• Victims speak out over tsunami' of fraud on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp
• I felt stupid and embarrassed': victim of Hi Mum' fraud on WhatsApp lost 1,600
• Instagram scam: I spent 1,200 on clothes for my son that never arrived'

Jane* lost her life savings and loans worth 75,000 after falling victim to a cryptocurrency scam advertised on Facebook, which falsely claimed to be endorsed by the consumer champion Martin Lewis and left her saddled with thousands of pounds of debt.

She is one of a growing number of Britons who has been scammed while using a social media platform operated by Meta, which also runs Instagram and WhatsApp. Banks are reporting a surge in fraud cases on the tech giant's websites and apps, expected to cost UK households 250m this year.