WhatsApp has blocked 6.8 million accounts connected to scam activities

WhatsApp has banned over 6.8 million accounts in the first half of 2025 for links to organised scam operations, some reportedly run from criminal hubs in Southeast Asia.

In a blog post this week, the platform said these accounts were tied to scam networks exploiting users with fake financial offers, cryptocurrency investment traps, and “too-good-to-be-true” job or earning opportunities. Many of these schemes preyed on economic hardship, luring victims with promises of quick cash in exchange for upfront payments or small tasks.

Scams across multiple platforms
WhatsApp noted that fraudsters are increasingly spreading their activities across several platforms to evade detection. In one case, a Cambodia-based criminal network ran a scam that spanned ChatGPT, WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok, and cryptocurrency exchanges.

The operation began with AI-generated WhatsApp messages offering payment for simple social media tasks. Victims were then moved to Telegram and asked to like TikTok videos, before being pressured to deposit funds into cryptocurrency accounts to “unlock” higher earnings. Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, worked with OpenAI and other partners to disrupt the network.

Typically, scammers initiate contact via dating apps, social media, or SMS, before shifting to private messaging apps like WhatsApp. By fragmenting their operations across different platforms, they make it harder for any single service to detect the full scope of the scam.

New safety measures
In response, WhatsApp is rolling out new tools to protect users. One feature alerts people when they are added to a group by someone outside their contacts, providing group details and the option to exit without opening the chat. Another under trial issues warnings when receiving messages from unknown individuals, offering context to help users assess their legitimacy.

To stay safe, WhatsApp urges users to “pause, question, and verify” before engaging. Common tactics include impersonating friends or family, inventing urgent financial crises, or offering unrealistically high-paying jobs. The company advises scepticism toward unknown numbers, requests involving gift cards or cryptocurrency, and to confirm suspicious messages through known channels.