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Meta announced on Tuesday that it has taken down almost 6.8 million WhatsApp accounts connected to scams in the first half of 2025.
Naija News reports that the accounts were blocked before scammers could fully use them to target people online.
The tech company explained that most of the accounts were linked to fraud networks in Southeast Asia.
These scam operations often use fake investment offers, including fake cryptocurrency deals and pyramid schemes, to trick users into sending money.
Meta said it worked with OpenAI to stop a scam traced to Cambodia.
The criminals in that case used ChatGPT to create messages that included links to WhatsApp chats, luring people into their trap.
In response to the growing problem, WhatsApp has added new features to protect users.
One of the new tools warns users when they are added to group chats by people they don’t know.
A new “safety overview” now appears in such cases, giving users quick details about the group and advice on how to avoid falling for scams.
It also gives them the option to leave the group immediately.
The company also warned users to be cautious of strangers who suddenly offer low-risk investment deals, promise quick profits, or pressure them to pay fake bills.
According to WhatsApp, such messages are often part of a larger effort to trick people by playing on their fear or trust.
Meta said it will continue working to protect its users from fraud and remove suspicious accounts.
“We’ve all been there: someone you don’t know attempting to message you, or add you to a group chat, promising low-risk investment opportunities or easy money, or saying you have an unpaid bill that’s overdue,” Meta said in a blog post.
The post WhatsApp Shuts 6.8 Million Scam Accounts appeared first on Naija News.
