Google clamps down on financial scam ads with new Malaysia verification requirement

Google has introduced a new financial services verification requirement in Malaysia aimed at preventing scam advertisers from reaching users on its platforms.

The initiative comes amid rising concerns over financial fraud in the country. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Malaysians lost RM2.77 billion to financial scams in 2025 alone. The new policy seeks to ensure that only legitimate, licensed financial service providers can run ads targeting Malaysian users.

Starting 14 April 2026, advertisers promoting financial products and services must complete a verification process before they can publish ads on Google platforms. Under the requirement, advertisers will need to prove they are authorised by relevant Malaysian regulators such as Bank Negara Malaysia, Securities Commission Malaysia and Labuan Financial Services Authority, in addition to completing Google’s existing advertiser verification programme.

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Applications for verification will open from 10 March 2026 through Google’s compliance partner G2. Financial service advertisers, as well as non-financial advertisers targeting users seeking financial services, will be required to complete the updated verification process. Those who fail to do so by the enforcement date will no longer be allowed to run financial services ads on Google. They may initiate verification themselves.

The financial services verification policy is designed to strengthen safeguards by enforcing local licensing standards at the point of advertising, closing loopholes that scammers often exploit to target consumers online. The system has already been implemented in markets including the United Kingdom, Singapore and Australia.

According to Ben King, country managing director of Google Malaysia, scammers are continuously evolving their tactics to bypass detection, making stronger safeguards necessary. “That’s why we’re strengthening our defenses to ensure only authorised financial providers can reach users on Google,” he added. 

By working with local authorities to enforce stricter checks, the initiative aims to ensure that only authorised providers can promote financial services on the platform, helping Malaysians feel more confident when engaging with financial products online, King said.

The move has also been welcomed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Managing director Abdul Karim Fakir Ali said verifying financial advertisers is an important step in preventing scam campaigns from reaching the public. "Tackling digital fraud requires a whole-of-ecosystem approach, where technology platforms, regulators, and the public all play a role. Verifying the legitimacy of financial advertisers is essential to our goal of ensuring a safe and trusted digital environment for all Malaysians,” he added. 

The new verification requirement forms part of Google’s broader defence system against fraudulent activity, which also includes advertiser identity verification policies and restricted ad serving for high-risk categories. These are complemented by AI-powered tools such as Google Lens and Circle to Search that help users identify potential scams in real time.

This comes as other platforms, including Meta, introduced verification initiatives to tackle scam ads in general. Back in August, Meta updated its anti-scam advertising tool, “Brand rights protection”, including some of the most requested features by businesses who use the tool. These updates further empower businesses to take control of how their brands are used and help protect people from harmful or misleading experiences.

Earlier in March, all advertisers on Facebook were required to verify their identities against government-issued records by the end of June 2025. This comes after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said it allowed Meta to apply the enhanced verification requirement on selected advertisers during the six-month period. If the number of scams failed to drop, the ministry would require Meta to improve its requirements. 

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