- WhatsApp Removes Over 6.8 Million Scam-Linked Accounts Worldwide in First Half of 2025
- The crackdown targets organized criminal operations in Southeast Asia, often using forced labor for scams
- Meta has introduced new anti-scam measures, including alerts for suspicious group chat additions
WhatsApp has successfully taken down 6.8 million accounts associated with scams in the first half of this year, according to Meta. The social media giant revealed this statistic while rolling out new anti-scam measures designed to protect users from fraudulent activity.
WhatsApp deletes over 6.8m accounts linked to scams
Meta reported that many of the accounts removed were linked to scam centers operated by organized criminals in Southeast Asia. These centers often involved forced labor, with scammers using deceptive tactics to target unsuspecting victims globally.
WhatsApp proactively detected and removed accounts before these scam centers could fully operationalize them, Meta said. The crackdown specifically targets tactics where fraudsters hijack accounts or add people to group chats promoting fake investment schemes or other scams.
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Collaboration with OpenAI to combat scams
WhatsApp worked with Meta and ChatGPT developer OpenAI to dismantle a scam linked to a Cambodian criminal group. This scam offered cash for likes on social media posts to promote a fake rent-a-scooter pyramid scheme. The fraudsters used ChatGPT to craft the instructions given to potential victims.
Meta emphasized that scams often begin with a text message before escalating to social media or private messaging apps. These scams typically culminate on payment or cryptocurrency platforms, where victims are tricked into paying upfront for promised returns.
Southeast Asia’s role in the scam ecosystem
Scam centers operating in countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand are notorious for deceiving people out of billions of dollars. These centers often recruit individuals under duress to carry out scams, using them to target vulnerable individuals worldwide.
Authorities in the region have urged the public to be cautious of potential fraud. Users are encouraged to use WhatsApp’s two-step verification feature to enhance security and protect their accounts from being hijacked. In Singapore, police have warned users to be wary of unusual requests received through messaging apps.
With these efforts, Meta aims to mitigate the growing issue of online scams while bolstering user security across its platforms.
