WhatsApp has banned more than 6.8 million accounts linked to criminal scam operations and rolled out new safety measures to protect users and curb fraud on its platform.
Mr. Kojo Boakye, Vice President of Public Policy for Africa, the Middle East, and Türkiye at Meta, revealed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Boakye explained that the banned accounts were removed between January and June 2025 as part of WhatsApp’s global effort to disrupt criminal activity and safeguard users.
“The fight against scams is relentless, and we are continually evolving our defences to stay ahead of bad actors,” he said.
He added that these accounts were blocked before fraudsters could complete their schemes, thereby preventing harm to millions of users.
According to Boakye, the scams often start on dating sites or through text messages, then move to WhatsApp, eventually directing victims to cryptocurrency or payment platforms.
“Many scams involve fake investment opportunities, job offers, or demands for upfront payments with promises of high returns,” he noted.
In a recent case, Boakye said a syndicate in Cambodia used artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, to craft convincing scam messages.
“The criminals employed ChatGPT to craft scam messages, which were sent on WhatsApp before redirecting victims to Telegram,” he explained.
Once on Telegram, victims were manipulated into liking TikTok videos and pressured to deposit money into fraudulent cryptocurrency accounts.
This operation was dismantled thanks to a joint effort between Meta, WhatsApp, and OpenAI.
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Boakye also announced new in-app safety tools designed to protect users from similar scams going forward.
One feature alerts users when they are added to a group by someone not in their contacts, allowing them to review group details and leave if they choose. Messages from such groups remain muted until the user interacts.
WhatsApp is also testing warnings for messages received from unknown numbers, providing users with more context to make safer choices.
“We believe a safer messaging space is built on strong technology, proactive detection, and user education,” Boakye said.
He urged users to stay vigilant and avoid responding to unknown messages, especially those requesting money, PINs, or personal information.
This reflects our commitment to not only ban malicious accounts but also empower people with tools and knowledge to stay secure,” he added.
Boakye reaffirmed WhatsApp’s ongoing commitment to working with industry partners and governments to reduce fraud and ensure digital safety for everyone.
