WhatsApp Disables Over 6.8 Million Scam Accounts in Global Crackdown, Meta Reveals
WhatsApp has disabled more than 6.8 million accounts linked to scam operations in the first six months of 2025, according to a statement from its parent company, Meta.
Many of the removed accounts were reportedly tied to criminal scam centres in Southeast Asia, where organised networks often exploit forced labour to run large-scale fraud operations.
Meta disclosed the figures while announcing new anti-scam features designed to protect WhatsApp users. Among the updates is an alert system that notifies users when they are added to a group chat by someone outside their contact list – a common tactic used by scammers to lure individuals into fake investment schemes.
The company noted that many of the takedowns were proactive, preventing the scammers from activating the accounts in their fraudulent operations.
In one instance, WhatsApp partnered with Meta’s broader security team and OpenAI to disrupt a Cambodia-based scam ring. The criminal group reportedly used ChatGPT to write scripts for a rent-a-scooter scam disguised as a social media engagement campaign. Victims were offered money to “like” posts, only to later be drawn into a pyramid scheme.
According to Meta, scammers typically initiate contact via text messages before directing victims to private messaging platforms. The fraud is usually completed through cryptocurrency or payment platforms, where victims are asked to pay upfront with the promise of future returns – a hallmark of investment scams.
Authorities across Southeast Asia – including in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand – have flagged the growing concern of scam centres in the region. These centres not only defraud global victims of billions of dollars but are also known to traffic individuals and coerce them into participating in criminal activities.
In response, law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts are urging users to activate safety tools such as WhatsApp’s two-step verification. In Singapore, police have also warned the public to be cautious of unusual messages or requests on messaging apps.
Meta says it remains committed to disrupting these networks and improving safety across its platforms.
