WhatsApp scams prompt Meta crackdown
Millions of WhatsApp accounts tied to financial scams were taken down by Meta following reports of widespread fraud targeting users.
Meta has removed 6.8 million WhatsApp accounts linked to scam operations following reports of financial fraud from users. The company said many of the accounts were connected to organised scam centres based in Southeast Asia, targeting victims across multiple platforms.
According to Meta, enforcement teams detected and disabled the accounts before many of the scam networks could fully launch operations. The scams typically involved cryptocurrency schemes, pyramid-style offers, and other tactics requiring upfront payments for promised returns.
To reduce exposure to fraud, Meta said it is introducing new warning prompts for users added to group chats by unknown contacts. The platform will also encourage people to pause before responding to unfamiliar messages that attempt to move conversations to other apps or payment platforms.
The company highlighted a recent case involving Cambodia-based scam groups that used AI-generated messages to recruit victims. Targets were initially contacted via text, then redirected to WhatsApp and Telegram, where they were instructed to perform small online tasks such as liking TikTok videos.
OpenAI said it banned ChatGPT accounts used to generate recruitment messages in English, Spanish, and Swahili. The US Federal Trade Commission reported $2.7 billion in social media fraud losses between January 2021 and June 2023.
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