Joy Agwunobi
WhatsApp has taken down more than 6.8 million accounts linked to criminal scam centers in the first half of 2025, as part of a sweeping global effort to combat the rising tide of sophisticated online fraud targeting users on messaging platforms.
The Meta-owned platform said the accounts were proactively detected and banned before the scam centers could fully activate their fraudulent operations, preventing potential financial and emotional harm to millions of users. The move, WhatsApp noted, is part of its ongoing strategy to stay ahead of increasingly complex scams and to reinforce user trust and safety.
“These scam centers typically run multiple schemes at once, ranging from fake cryptocurrency investments to elaborate pyramid-style operations,” WhatsApp said in a statement. “One of the major red flags in these scams is the request for upfront payments in exchange for promised returns—an indicator users should always treat with caution.”
WhatsApp explained that most criminal scam networks operate across multiple platforms in a layered, coordinated fashion. Fraudsters often initiate contact on dating apps or via text messages, then migrate their targets to private messaging apps like WhatsApp, and finally redirect them to payment or cryptocurrency platforms. This multistage approach allows scammers to bypass security checks on any single platform, making comprehensive disruption more difficult.
In a striking example of cross-industry collaboration, WhatsApp, Meta, and OpenAI recently dismantled a scam operation based in Cambodia, which exploited ChatGPT to create persuasive scam messages. Victims were initially contacted via AI-generated messages and directed to WhatsApp. Once engaged, they were quickly transitioned to Telegram, where they were assigned simple online tasks like liking TikTok videos, creating a false sense of legitimacy. Eventually, the targets were pressured into depositing money into fraudulent crypto accounts.
Beyond enforcement actions, WhatsApp is rolling out a series of new in-app safety features designed to empower users and reduce their exposure to common scam tactics.
One of these features focuses on group messaging. Now, when a user is added to an unfamiliar group by someone not in their contact list, a safety overview will automatically appear. This overview provides essential information about the group, along with safety tips to help users assess whether to stay or leave. Importantly, users can exit such groups without having to open the chat, and notifications from these unfamiliar groups will remain silenced unless the user explicitly decides to engage.
In individual messaging scenarios, WhatsApp is testing improved warning systems for interactions with unknown numbers. When a user is contacted by someone not in their address book, the app will provide added context about the sender—helping users make better-informed decisions before replying or taking any further steps.
Alongside these technical upgrades, WhatsApp is promoting a user education initiative built around a simple three-step framework: Pause, Question, Verify. The idea is to encourage users to think critically and act cautiously when approached with unfamiliar or suspicious messages.
The first step, Pause, urges users to take a moment before responding to any unexpected message. They are advised to consider whether the number is recognizable or if the message itself seems out of the ordinary.
The second step, Question, prompts users to evaluate the content of the request. Is it logical? Does it appear too good to be true? Is the sender asking for money, gift cards, personal information, or PINs? Are they applying pressure to get an immediate response? All these are common signs of potential fraud.
Finally, the third step, Verify, encourages recipients to independently confirm the identity of the sender especially when the message appears to come from a friend or relative. This can be done through a trusted communication method such as a direct phone call to a known number, rather than relying solely on the messaging thread.
Commenting on the initiative, Kojo Boakye, vice president of Public Policy for Africa, the Middle East, and Türkiye at Meta, emphasised the platform’s unwavering dedication to security.
“The fight against scams is a relentless one, and we are continually evolving our defenses to stay ahead of bad actors,” Boakye said, adding, “This is part of our unwavering commitment to protect our users—not just by banning malicious accounts, but by empowering individuals with the tools and knowledge they need to recognise and avoid these sophisticated threats. A safer messaging environment is built through a combination of robust technology, proactive detection, and user education.”
WhatsApp concluded by reiterating its long-term commitment to strengthening its safety systems and working closely with industry partners, technology companies, and law enforcement to stay ahead of criminal innovation.
As scammers continue to exploit new tools including AI to scale their operations, WhatsApp said it remains focused on developing adaptive protections that anticipate threats before they cause harm. The company underscored that protecting users requires both technological vigilance and a shared responsibility among platforms, regulators, and the public.
