WhatsApp Removes 6.8 Million Accounts Over Malicious Activity Concerns

WhatsApp has permanently removed 6.8 million accounts during the first half of 2024 as part of an aggressive crackdown on global scamming operations, parent company Meta announced this week.

The massive account purge primarily targeted sophisticated fraud networks operating from organized criminal centers across Southeast Asia, where forced labor is frequently used to execute elaborate scams targeting victims worldwide.

Enhanced Detection and Prevention Measures

The social media giant revealed that its proactive detection systems identified and eliminated these malicious accounts before scam centers could fully operationalize their fraudulent schemes.

This preemptive approach represents a significant shift in Meta’s strategy to combat the growing threat of messaging-based fraud.

Coinciding with the account removals, WhatsApp has introduced new anti-scam features designed to alert users to potentially dangerous situations.

The platform now warns users when they are added to group chats by individuals not in their contact lists, addressing a common ...