WhatsApp Shuts Down 6.8 Million Accounts Linked to Fraudulent Activities
- WhatsApp has terminated over 6.8 million accounts linked to international scam activities as part of a crackdown on illegal messaging networks
- The platform has introduced new in-app features to help users identify fraud and is urging them to "pause, question, and verify" before responding to suspicious messages
- Additionally, WhatsApp highlighted a partnership with Meta and OpenAI to dismantle a scam ring in Cambodia that tricked users into transferring money to cryptocurrency accounts
Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has 5-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market.
WhatsApp has claimed that as part of a significant crackdown on illegal messaging networks, it has terminated over 6.8 million accounts linked to international scam activities.
Source: Getty Images
The platform, which is owned by Meta, stated that the accounts found and eliminated in the first half of 2024 were connected to scam centers that use techniques such as cross-platform fraud, cloned voices, and deepfakes.
This latest round of enforcement is part of larger efforts to stop coordinated scams before they spread, according to Kojo Boakye, vice president of public policy for Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey at Meta.
“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 recognize and avoid these sophisticated threats,” he said.
To help users spot dubious contacts and prevent fraud, the platform has introduced new in-app features. One of the changes allows users to view additional context before interacting with senders they are unfamiliar with, particularly when they are added to group chats by people not on their contact list.
WhatsApp is also encouraging users to "pause, question, and verify" before responding to messages that seem out of the ordinary or demand immediate action, such as requests for cash, gift cards, or private information.
A cross-industry partnership between Meta, WhatsApp, and OpenAI to dismantle a scam ring in Cambodia was also highlighted in the update.
Reports indicate that the group tricked WhatsApp users into switching to other platforms by sending them AI-generated messages, which ultimately led to them depositing money into cryptocurrency accounts.
WhatsApp urged users to be cautious, especially when contacted by unknown numbers, and stated that further safety enhancements are in the pipeline.
Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, owners of some older Android and iPhone models may soon be unable to use WhatsApp from Monday, May 5 2025.
Meta, the parent company, is making changes to WhatsApp’s compatibility with operating systems means some older smartphones will not meet the necessary operating system requirements.
Robert Okoro said,
"The development is not surprising because there's been a lot of competition among different social media apps these days, and the only way to remain relevant is by upgrading each platform."
WhatsApp introduces 7 new features
Legit.ng earlier reported the new features that were introduced to WhatsApp.
One of them was the online indicator appearing at the top of a group chat, showing how many people are online to chat.
Another addition was the feature that allows users to highlight some notifications, which they could use the newly added Notify in settings and messages saved from contacts or All to receive all notifications.
Yet another feature gave users the option to scan and send documents on an iPhone. Users could select scan document from the attachment options and then follow the steps to scan, crop, and save the document.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
