WhatsApp Shuts Down 6.8 Million Scam Accounts in Crackdown
In a major effort to combat online fraud, WhatsApp has taken down a staggering 6.8 million accounts linked to scammers in just the first half of this year, according to its parent company Meta.
Many of these accounts were traced back to scam centres run by organised criminal groups in Southeast Asia. Alarmingly, these operations often involve forced labour, with individuals being trafficked and made to carry out scams under coercion.
The announcement came as WhatsApp rolled out new anti-scam features, including alerts that notify users if they’re added to group chats by someone not in their contact list, a common tactic used by fraudsters.
A Growing Threat
One of the most prevalent methods these scammers use is hijacking WhatsApp accounts or inviting people into fake group chats that promote fraudulent investment schemes. Meta explained that it is proactively shutting down suspicious accounts before they can be fully weaponised by scam networks.
In a particularly notable case, WhatsApp collaborated with Meta and OpenAI (the creators of ChatGPT) to disrupt a scam operation run by a criminal group in Cambodia. The group used AI-generated content to lure people into a fake rent-a-scooter pyramid scheme, offering cash rewards for social media engagement to build credibility.
The Anatomy of a Scam
These scams typically begin with a seemingly innocent message, often sent via text. Once the target responds, the conversation moves to private messaging apps like WhatsApp, where scammers attempt to build trust before convincing victims to invest or pay fees.
Most of these schemes are completed on payment or crypto platforms. As Meta put it:
“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.”
Calls for Stronger Action
Consumer rights group Which? welcomed WhatsApp’s action but stressed that Meta needs to do far more across all its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.
Lisa Webb, a consumer law expert, didn’t mince words:
“Users are being inundated with fraudulent ads for everything from fake investments to non-existent job offers. Meta needs to ensure that scams are prevented from ever appearing in the first place.”
She also urged UK regulator Ofcom to enforce the Online Safety Act more rigorously and introduce tougher rules to make tech companies accountable for paid-for ads promoting scams.
What You Can Do to Stay Safe
Authorities across Southeast Asia, where many of these scam centres are based, including Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar, are urging users to take proactive steps to protect themselves. In Singapore, for example, police have warned citizens to stay alert for suspicious messages and requests.
WhatsApp also encourages users to activate two-step verification, which adds an extra layer of security to prevent account hijacking.
Stay Vigilant
The scale of these operations is vast and the tactics are evolving. While tech platforms like WhatsApp are ramping up their defences, users play a crucial role in staying informed and cautious.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.