WhatsApp is stepping up its efforts to protect users from messaging scams, with a new set of tools aimed at helping people spot and avoid fraud. The company has also revealed that it took down over 6.8 million accounts in the first half of this year, most of them linked to criminal scam centers operating online and around the world.
These scams are often sophisticated, playing on people’s financial worries with fake investment schemes, fake job offers, and promises of quick cash. According to WhatsApp, many scammers start by sending messages through dating apps, text messages, or other social platforms before pushing victims to private messaging apps like WhatsApp, then leading them to cryptocurrency or payment platforms.
Inside the Scam Networks
Many of the most aggressive scams are run by organized crime groups, especially in parts of Southeast Asia. These scam operations sometimes involve forced labor and run multiple campaigns at once. Some pretend to offer high-paying online tasks, others promote pyramid-style investment scams. The catch is always the same: you have to pay upfront to make money.
One recent investigation uncovered a scam campaign linked to a criminal ring in Cambodia. The scammers used several platforms to stay under the radar, including WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok, ChatGPT, SMS and crypto apps. The scam started with a fake job offer, then moved victims through a series of steps including liking videos and joining chats, before asking them to deposit money into a crypto account.
How WhatsApp Is Responding
WhatsApp is not just removing scam accounts. It is also rolling out new features to make users safer:
* Group messaging protection: If someone who is not in your contacts adds you to a new WhatsApp group, a safety overview will appear with info about the group and tips on how to protect yourself. You can exit without ever opening the chat, and notifications will be silenced unless you choose to stay.
* One-on-one messaging alerts: WhatsApp is also testing new alerts when you begin chatting with someone not in your contact list. These alerts will give you more context about the person you’re messaging, helping you decide whether to continue the conversation.
How to Spot and Avoid Scams
To help people stay safe, WhatsApp teamed up with ethical hacker and internet safety expert Rachel Tobac to share some simple advice:
* Pause before replying. Think about whether the request makes sense or if the number is familiar.
* Question the message. Does it promise fast money or ask you to send personal information, PIN codes or payments? Are they rushing you?
* Verify the sender. If it’s someone claiming to be a friend or relative, call them using a number you already know. Don’t rely on the same app they messaged you on.
These scam networks are constantly evolving, but WhatsApp says it is committed to staying ahead. More tools are expected to roll out soon as part of ongoing efforts to protect people across its platforms
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