WhatsApp says it blocked more than 6.8 million accounts linked to global scam operations in the first half of this year, part of a growing crackdown on criminal networks that often rely on forced labour and organized crime in Southeast Asia. ers.
Tech scams have become more elaborate, often starting with a text or message on a dating app before moving to platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram. WhatsApp said these schemes typically involve fake investment opportunities—especially crypto and pyramid-style offers—that require people to send money upfront in exchange for false promises of future earnings.
One recent case cited by Meta involved a scam ring based in Cambodia. According to WhatsApp, the fraud began with a message crafted using ChatGPT, luring victims into a WhatsApp chat and then redirecting them to Telegram. There, people were asked to “like” videos on TikTok for fake payouts before eventually being tricked into transferring funds to a cryptocurrency wallet.
To fight the scammers, WhatsApp is introducing new features to help users recognize red flags. One upcoming change will alert you when you’re added to a group chat by someone outside of your contacts. Users will be shown an overview of the group and given the option to leave without opening the chat. Notifications from the group will remain muted unless you choose to engage.
For one-on-one messages, WhatsApp is also testing ways to caution users when messaging someone not saved in their contacts—another step meant to help people pause before engaging with possible scammers.
The platform is reminding users to be cautious of unknown contacts promising fast money, unpaid bills, or investment deals that seem too good to be true. WhatsApp encourages users to “pause, question, and verify” when something seems suspicious—especially if someone is pressuring them to act quickly or send money.
Before it was to never answer a phone call if the number was unknown. Now, you shouldn’t even reply to text messages from unknowns as well. At some point, we might be better off going back to a Startac flip phone or Zack Morris brick phone to stay safe.
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