With more than 800 million users, you’d expect a few bad apples. But Facebook and Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna are looking to root out some apparent rottenness that’s emerged on the social network in recent months.

According to a media alert issued today, Facebook general counsel Ted Ullyot and other executives from the company will join with McKenna on Thursday in Seattle to announce a legal strategy targeted at what they are terming “a pervasive new scheme that takes advantage of those using the social media platform.”

The news alert did not elaborate on the details of the scheme. We’ve followed up with McKenna’s office for more details.

Just this past weekend, ZDNET disclosed details of a new Facebook scam which suggests that consumers are eligible for a free gift card giveaway from Amazon.com. ZDNET notes:

“Instead of getting a gift card, you’ll be told to share the link with all of your Facebook friends, as well as add a comment. The next webpage urges you to sign up for a premium rate mobile phone service, which of course just takes more money from you. Finally, you’ll be asked to complete an online survey, but you’ll never see your supposed gift card.”

It’s unclear whether the attorneys will be looking at curbing that activity, or others that have arisen recently on the social network.