WhatsApp has banned over 6.8 million accounts linked to scam operations as part of its global effort to combat fraud and enhance user safety.
Meta’s Vice President of Public Policy for Africa, the Middle East, and Türkiye, Kojo Boakye, revealed this in a statement on Tuesday.
He said the fraudulent accounts were removed between January and June 2025, disrupting criminal activity before it could harm users.
“The fight against scams is relentless, and we are continually evolving our defences to stay ahead of bad actors,” Boakye stated.
According to him, many scams start on dating platforms or through text messages and later transition to WhatsApp, where victims are manipulated into engaging with fake investment schemes or job offers.
In one notable case, a syndicate in Cambodia used AI tools like ChatGPT to craft convincing messages that led victims from WhatsApp to Telegram, where they were tricked into liking TikTok videos and depositing money into bogus crypto accounts.
The operation was uncovered and shut down through a collaborative effort involving Meta, WhatsApp, and OpenAI.
In response to these threats, WhatsApp is rolling out new safety features.
These include a group messaging alert that notifies users when they are added to a group by someone outside their contact list. The messages in such groups are automatically muted until the user chooses to engage.
Additionally, the platform is testing new alerts for messages from unknown numbers, offering users more context to help them decide whether to interact.
Boakye stressed the importance of user education alongside technology.
“We believe a safer messaging space is built on strong technology, proactive detection, and user awareness,” he said, advising users to avoid engaging with unknown contacts, especially those requesting money or personal information.
He also reaffirmed WhatsApp’s commitment to working with industry and government partners to curb online fraud and ensure digital safety for all users.
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