In the first half of 2025, WhatsApp removed over 6.8 million accounts linked to global scam networks, many operated by criminal organizations and forced labor camps in Southeast Asia, as it introduces new user safety tools.
The significant action comes as WhatsApp enhances its detection of fraudulent activities within the messaging platform, responding to increasingly sophisticated methods employed by fraudsters. These scammers leverage private messaging applications, dating platforms, social media, and AI tools like ChatGPT to execute their schemes.
The evolving landscape of online scams indicates a trend where criminal operations are no longer confined to a single platform. Scammers initiate contact on one platform, such as a text message or a dating application, before transitioning victims to WhatsApp, and subsequently to other platforms like Telegram or cryptocurrency exchanges. This multi-platform approach complicates the detection of fraudulent activity.
A notable instance of collaboration in combating these scams involved WhatsApp and Meta partnering with OpenAI to dismantle a scam operation linked to Cambodia. In this scheme, fraudsters utilized ChatGPT to generate messages that advertised fake “like-for-pay” job opportunities. Victims were initially instructed to communicate via WhatsApp, then moved to Telegram, where they were asked to engage by liking TikTok videos. Once trust was established, the scammers solicited cryptocurrency deposits from the victims, promising to unlock fabricated earnings.
To counter the spread of these scams, WhatsApp is rolling out several new features aimed at providing users with greater control over their interactions. One such feature is the “group safety overview,” which displays a safety screen with details about a group and privacy tips when a user who is not in their contacts adds them to a group. This allows users to exit the group immediately without having to read any messages, and notifications for such groups will remain silent unless the user explicitly confirms their desire to stay.
Additionally, WhatsApp is testing “extra warnings for unknown contacts.” Scammers often initiate contact on social media or dating sites before requesting to switch to WhatsApp. These new alerts will appear when a user messages someone not in their contacts, providing additional context to help the user decide whether to engage with the unknown contact.
To further empower users in avoiding common messaging scams, WhatsApp has collaborated with internet safety expert Rachel Tobac to introduce a three-step strategy: “Pause, Question, and Verify.” The “Pause” step encourages users to slow down and wait before replying if they do not recognize a number or if a message seems unusual. The “Question” step prompts users to consider the realism of the message, looking for classic scam indicators such as requests for money, PINs, gift cards, or promises of substantial payouts for minimal effort. Finally, the “Verify” step advises users, if someone claims to be a friend or relative, to contact that person through an alternative, pre-established method to confirm their identity.
