In the first half of 2025, WhatsApp reported the removal of over 6.8 million accounts associated with global scam networks, many of which are operated by criminal organizations and forced labor camps located in Southeast Asia. This significant action comes as WhatsApp introduces new tools designed to enhance user safety and improve the detection of fraudulent activities within the messaging platform. The company’s efforts are a direct response to the increasing sophisticated methods employed by fraudsters, who are leveraging private messaging applications, dating platforms, social media, and even artificial intelligence (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 frequently 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, which can involve moving a victim through as many as five different applications for a single scheme, is designed to complicate 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 particular 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 a level of trust was established, the scammers would solicit cryptocurrency deposits from the victims, promising to unlock fabricated earnings. These types of scams often exploit financial vulnerabilities and create a sense of urgency, typically by promising rapid financial gains or pressuring victims to act quickly.
To proactively 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.” This new function will display 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 currently 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 are designed to 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. This feature aims to help users identify potential red flags early in the interaction.
To further empower users in avoiding common messaging scams, WhatsApp has collaborated with internet safety expert Rachel Tobac. Together, they have introduced 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, such as calling their regular phone number, to confirm their identity.
