WhatsApp says it has banned over 6.8 million accounts linked to global scam operations as part of a major crackdown on criminal messaging networks.
In a statement on Monday, the Meta-owned platform said the accounts detected and removed in the first half of 2025 were linked to scam centres that deploy tactics such as deepfakes, cloned voices, and cross-platform fraud.
Kojo Boakye, Meta’s vice-president of public policy for Africa, Middle East and Türkiye, said the new wave of enforcement is part of broader efforts to disrupt coordinated scams before they spread.
“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,” he said.
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The platform also announced new in-app features to help users better identify suspicious contacts and avoid falling victim to fraud.
One of the updates allows people to see more context before engaging with unknown senders, especially when added to group chats by people outside their contact list.
WhatsApp is also working to encourage users to “pause, question, and verify” before responding to messages that appear unusual or demand urgent action, such as requests for money, gift cards or personal information.
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The update also highlighted a cross-industry collaboration involving Meta, WhatsApp and OpenAI to take down a scam ring in Cambodia.
The group reportedly used AI-generated messages to lure users from WhatsApp to other platforms, eventually coercing them into depositing funds into cryptocurrency accounts.
WhatsApp said more safety updates are underway and urged users to remain cautious, particularly when contacted by unknown numbers.
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