Popular messaging app WhatsApp has announced that it banned over 6.8 million accounts linked to global scams in just the first half of 2025. The move is part of a major effort to stop criminal networks that use fake messages and tricks to deceive people across the world.
In a statement released on Monday, WhatsApp—owned by Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram)—said these banned accounts were tied to “scam centres” that use deepfakes (fake videos), cloned voices, and cross-platform fraud to target users.
Why Were the Accounts Banned?
According to Kojo Boakye, Meta’s Vice President of Public Policy for Africa, the Middle East, and Türkiye, the bans are part of WhatsApp’s broader plan to stop 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,” Boakye said.
What’s New for Users?
To help users stay safe, WhatsApp has introduced new in-app features, including:
- Warnings about unknown contacts: You’ll now see more information when someone outside your contact list adds you to a group chat.
- Reminders to “pause, question, and verify”: This means if you get a strange or urgent message (like asking for money or gift cards), WhatsApp will remind you to take a moment and think before replying.
A Global Problem
WhatsApp also mentioned a major international operation involving Meta, WhatsApp, and AI company OpenAI to take down a scam ring in Cambodia. This group reportedly used AI-generated messages to move users from WhatsApp to other platforms, then pressured them into sending money to fake cryptocurrency accounts.
Stay Safe!
WhatsApp says more safety updates are coming soon, and they’re encouraging everyone to be careful when getting messages from unknown numbers. If a message feels strange, seems too good to be true, or pressures you to act fast, it could be a scam.
This is a reminder that scams are becoming more high-tech, and it’s important to stay alert online—even on apps you use every day.
