In a sweeping enforcement action during the first half of 2025, WhatsApp—owned by Meta—expelled more than 6.8 million accounts linked to global scam operations. This initiative targeted criminal networks behind large-scale fraud schemes, particularly those operating so-called “scam centers” in Southeast Asia, including countries such as Cambodia and Myanmar.
These fraudulent accounts were typically controlled by organized syndicates that frequently exploited forced labor to run mass scams. Common schemes included hijacking verified accounts to impersonate trusted contacts, dangling fake investment opportunities, “rent-a-scooter” offers, pyramid schemes, and crypto-related frauds. Many scams were carefully orchestrated using advanced technology; reportedly, some networks employed artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT to craft convincing scam messages and detailed instructions aimed at deceiving victims.
Meta highlighted that proactive detection accounted for the removal of a significant portion of these scam accounts, often before scammers could complete fraudulent activities. This reflects a substantial investment in artificial intelligence and sophisticated detection systems that have become crucial in the ongoing fight against digital fraud.
In tandem with these enforcement efforts, WhatsApp introduced several new safety features in 2025 to protect its global user base. Notable upgrades include enhanced warnings and alerts when users are added to group chats by unknown contacts, stricter controls that mute suspicious group invitations, and prompts to alert users before messaging unsaved or unfamiliar numbers. The platform also improved its ability to detect and shut down potentially harmful accounts immediately, reducing reliance on user-generated complaints. Users are encouraged to enable two-step verification and keep their app updated to benefit from the latest security enhancements.
