Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest to take on Facebook in court
Billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest is taking on Facebook in court, alleging the social media platform funneled users to cryptocurrency scams which used his name.
Principal at Mark O’Brien Legal, Steven Lewis, says “the charge is that Facebook recklessly allowed scam cryptocurrency ads to go out on their social media platform, which defrauded a number of Australians”.
“It’s his image and his name, but of course also his concern for the wellbeing of mum and dad Australians, a number of whom have been subject to these scam ads,” he told Ross and Russel.
Private criminal prosecutions are very rare in Australia, and require the permission of the Attorney-General, which Dr Forrest has received.
The mining magnate says the criminal charges follow many attempts to ask Facebook to prevent his image being used by criminals to scam Australians.
The West Australian Magistrates Court will hear the matter in late March.
Dr Forrest has also lodged another lawsuit in California accusing Facebook of aiding and abetting fraud.
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Image: Peter Kovalev\TASS via Getty Images