Meta has removed more than 3.7 million accounts, pages and groups from Facebook and Instagram in a joint operation targeting scam networks operating in West Africa.
In a web post on Tuesday, Meta said the operation involved 14 other technology companies and law enforcement agencies from 10 countries, leading to the identification of more than 30 suspected scam centres.
The operation was coordinated by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), in partnership with the US Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other agencies.
According to Meta, law enforcement authorities confirmed the arrest of 28 individuals and the rescue of 117 people who had allegedly been trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.
The rescued victims were reportedly held against their will in a residential compound, where they suffered malnutrition and physical and psychological abuse.
Facebook, Instagram accounts targeted US, UK users
Meta said most of the accounts, pages and groups removed appeared to target people in the United States and the United Kingdom through profiles impersonating American and British users.
Microsoft also suspended accounts suspected of being linked to the fraudulent activities.
Meanwhile, Coinbase, a cryptocurrency exchange, identified more than 65 active scam victims and prevented potential losses exceeding $415,000, according to the statement.
The operation brought together technology companies, including Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Coinbase, Starlink and Adobe, alongside law enforcement agencies from Nigeria, Ghana, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India.
Meta said the collaboration enabled participants to share intelligence across digital platforms, jurisdictions and financial systems to identify criminal networks and disrupt their operations.
Cryptocurrency, romance and job scams targeted
The fraud schemes targeted by the operation included cryptocurrency investment scams, fake job offers, romance scams, impersonation of law enforcement officers and military personnel, and fraudulent online sales.
The operation also targeted so-called scam recovery schemes, in which fraudsters exploit previous victims by promising to recover stolen money in exchange for upfront payments.
Chris Sonderby, Meta’s vice-president and deputy general counsel, said the operation demonstrated the importance of cooperation between technology companies and law enforcement agencies.
He said the company would continue working with partners to pursue scammers and disrupt their operations wherever they operate.
Nick Sharp, the NCA’s deputy director of fraud, said the collaboration helped authorities target criminals responsible for fraud affecting thousands of victims.
He added that the agency would continue working with international and private-sector partners to tackle fraud networks operating across borders.
Meta stresses need for international cooperation
The operation comes amid growing concerns over organised online fraud, with criminal networks using scam centres to recruit workers, train them in deception techniques and coordinate fraudulent campaigns against victims worldwide.
Meta said technology companies play a crucial role in disrupting scam operations, but stressed that lasting progress also depends on holding the criminals behind the schemes accountable.
The company added that cooperation between technology firms and law enforcement agencies would remain central to efforts to disrupt fraud networks and prevent further victimisation.
