Meta has deleted over 6.8 million WhatsApp accounts connected to scam groups running crypto fraud schemes, often known as “pig butchering”.
These scams usually begin with a message from a stranger and move to private chats. The aim is to build trust and convince people to send money, often in cryptocurrency, to fake companies or trading platforms.
According to an August 5 press release from Meta, the accounts were removed before the scams could fully begin. The company’s security teams detected suspicious activity and shut down the accounts to stop them from being used in fraud.
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Meta said the accounts were linked to operations in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand, places where police have reported organized groups running large online scams targeting people in different countries.
Alongside these removals, WhatsApp is introducing new features to help users avoid scams. One new update will send a warning if they are added to a group by unknown users. This method is often used by scammers to push fake investment offers.
Meta also worked with OpenAI on a recent case involving a scam group in Cambodia that ran a fake scooter rental program. The scammers used ChatGPT to write messages and guide victims through fake instructions. They also tricked people into doing social media tasks with promises of easy money.
Recently, Meta shifted from virtual reality to AI and is investing billions to support this transition. What did CEO Mark Zuckerberg say about the decision? Read the full story.
