WhatsApp has banned over 6.8 million accounts linked to sophisticated global scam operations, in what it calls a major crackdown on criminal messaging networks.
The Meta-owned platform revealed the purge on Monday, saying the banned accounts—removed in the first half of 2025—were tied to scam centres using deepfakes, cloned voices, and cross-platform fraud to exploit users.
According to Kojo Boakye, Meta’s Vice President of Public Policy for Africa, the Middle East and Türkiye, the action is part of a broader effort to shut down fraud networks before they gain traction.
“This reflects our unwavering commitment to protect our users—not just by removing malicious accounts, but by equipping people with tools to spot and stop scams,” Boakye said.
New Features to Fight Fraud
WhatsApp has also rolled out new in-app safety features, aimed at helping users identify suspicious contacts and avoid getting duped.
Among the updates: Users now get more context before replying to unknown senders, especially when added to group chats by non-contacts.
Prompts encourage users to “pause, question, and verify” messages that seem unusual or press for urgent action—like money requests or demands for personal details.
Cross-Industry Takedown
The update also spotlighted a joint takedown involving WhatsApp, Meta and OpenAI, which dismantled a scam ring operating from Cambodia.
The group allegedly used AI-generated texts to lure users from WhatsApp to other platforms, eventually coercing victims into cryptocurrency transfers.
WhatsApp says more safety updates are coming and is urging users to remain alert—especially when contacted by unknown numbers or asked for sensitive info.
