In the first half of 2025, WhatsApp banned over 6.8 million accounts “linked to scam centres," according to parent company, Meta. “Some of the most prolific sources of scams are criminal scam centres, often fuelled by forced labour and operated by organised crime primarily in Southeast Asia,” the company said.

In a significant move to combat the growing threat of online fraud, Meta has taken decisive action against scam activity on WhatsApp. As part of its broader effort to enhance platform safety, the tech company has removed millions of suspicious accounts and introduced new features designed to protect users from deception.