In the first half of 2025, WhatsApp—under Meta—took down more than 6.8 million accounts tied to organized scam networks, primarily based in Southeast Asia. The proactive removals targeted scam centers before their operations could go live, helping prevent widespread financial fraud
New Safety Tools Combat Scams in Groups and Chats
WhatsApp introduced a Safety Overview feature that appears when a user is added to a group by someone not in their contacts. This tool displays the group creator, size, and safety tips, allowing users to choose whether to view or leave the group. Notifications remain muted until the user decides
The platform is also testing chat alerts to warn users when talking to someone outside their contact list. These alerts provide context on the unknown contact to help users make safer decisions
Where the Threats Originated and How Scams Worked
Many of the accounts banned were linked to criminal fraud centers, often tied to forced labor and pyramid-style cryptocurrency or investment scams. In one high-profile case, scammers used ChatGPT-generated messages to lure victims into WhatsApp then Telegram chats, eventually pushing crypto or fake investment schemes
Guidance for Users on Scam Protection
WhatsApp urged users to practice safety: enable two-step verification, block and report suspicious numbers, silence unknown callers, and ensure use of the official WhatsApp app. Cybersecurity experts also recommend questioning unexpected money requests by verifying via another method or known number
Why This Crackdown Matters
This effort marks one of the biggest platform-level anti-scam operations to date—shifting from reactive bans to proactive removals. It demonstrates an emphasis on preemptive detection and prevention, not just responding to complaints. The move addresses rising global financial losses due to online scams amid increasing use of automation and AI tools by fraudsters
What Users Should Do Right Now
- Set up two-step verification to secure your account
- Never share your 6‑digit activation code with anyone
- If you receive money requests via WhatsApp—even from known contacts—verify via phone or alternate channel
- Use the Safety Overview feature to evaluate group invites, especially from unknown persons
Summary of Key Points
- Over 6.8 million scam-linked WhatsApp accounts banned in H1 2025
- Launch of Safety Overview and chat warnings to spot suspicious activity
- Most banned accounts were traced to organized scam networks in Southeast Asia
- Focus now on early detection and user education
- Users are advised to enable security settings and verify suspicious interactions
