Meta Shuts Down Over 7 Million WhatsApp Accounts Linked to Scammers

By Emmanuel Kwada

Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, announced on Tuesday that it has terminated approximately 6.8 million WhatsApp accounts associated with scammers in the first half of 2025, as part of a robust crackdown on fraudulent activities plaguing the popular messaging platform.

The accounts, primarily operated by organized criminal gangs in Southeast Asia, were involved in scams ranging from fake cryptocurrency investments to get-rich-quick pyramid schemes, according to WhatsApp executives.

Clair Deevy, WhatsApp’s external affairs director, stated during a press briefing, “Our team identified the accounts and disabled them before the criminal organizations that created them could use them.” The swift action underscores Meta’s commitment to enhancing user safety and curbing the rising tide of sophisticated scams targeting WhatsApp’s global user base.

In a blog post, WhatsApp highlighted the deceptive nature of these scams, warning users to be cautious of schemes promising high returns or earnings that require upfront payments. “There is always a catch, and it should be a red flag for everyone: you have to pay upfront to get promised returns or earnings,” the company stated.

These fraudulent operations often exploit users’ trust, kindness, or fears, such as claims of unpaid bills requiring urgent payment. Meta’s efforts included collaboration with OpenAI to dismantle a scam originating in Cambodia, which leveraged ChatGPT to generate convincing text messages containing malicious WhatsApp links designed to lure victims.

We’ve all been there: someone you don’t know attempting to message you, or add you to a group chat, promising low-risk investment opportunities or easy money

The partnership reflects a growing trend of tech companies working together to combat cybercrime. To further protect users, Meta introduced new safety features on Tuesday, including “safety overviews” for WhatsApp group chats. These overviews alert users when they are added to unfamiliar groups by unknown contacts, providing information about the group, tips to identify scams, and an option to exit quickly.

“We’ve all been there: someone you don’t know attempting to message you, or add you to a group chat, promising low-risk investment opportunities or easy money,” Meta noted in its blog post, emphasizing the importance of vigilance. The majority of the banned accounts were traced to scam centers in Southeast Asia, a region identified as a hub for such activities.

WhatsApp’s proactive measures aim to disrupt these criminal networks before they can exploit users, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to user security. This latest move follows Meta’s ongoing efforts to combat misinformation and fraud across its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.
Source: AFP

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