Meta has revealed that it disabled close to seven million WhatsApp accounts tied to fraudulent activities in the first half of this year, stepping up its efforts to combat online scams.
According to WhatsApp’s Director of External Affairs, Clair Deevy, the accounts were detected and blocked before they could be used by the criminal networks behind them. Many of these schemes, often operated by organized crime groups, ranged from fake cryptocurrency investments to deceptive pyramid programs promising quick and unrealistic returns.
“There’s always a catch,” WhatsApp warned in a statement. “When someone asks for money upfront in exchange for promised profits, that’s a red flag.”
Meta disclosed that over 6.8 million accounts connected to scam operations — many based in Southeast Asia — were identified and removed.
In one notable case, WhatsApp and Meta collaborated with OpenAI to shut down a scam traced to Cambodia. The operation had been using ChatGPT to craft persuasive text messages containing links that lured people into fraudulent WhatsApp chats.
To further protect users, Meta has introduced new alerts urging people to be cautious when added to group chats by strangers. The platform’s updated “safety overview” now includes details about suspicious groups, guidance on spotting scams, and a quick option to leave immediately.
“We’ve all seen it — an unknown person adds you to a group or sends a message about a too-good-to-be-true investment, a fake unpaid bill, or an urgent request for money,” Meta explained. “These tactics prey on trust, fear, or a willingness to help, pushing people into sending money fast.”
