WhatsApp introduces anti-scam tools after removing 6.8 million accounts in H1'25

WhatsApp is introducing a new anti-scam feature designed to help users identify and avoid fraudulent activity within both individual and group chats. The update, revealed in a statement accessed by Technext, is part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to combat scams on the platform, particularly those involving deceptive offers and pyramid schemes [1]. The feature aims to give users greater control over their safety by offering contextual information before engaging with unfamiliar contacts or groups.

The new "safety overview" for group chats will activate when a user is added to a group by someone outside their contact list or a group they do not recognize. The overview will display key information about the group and provide safety tips. Users will have the option to leave the group without viewing the chat content. If they later recognize the group, they can choose to view the messages. Notifications from the group will remain muted until the user confirms the safety icon [1].

For individual chats, WhatsApp is testing a tool that will alert users when they initiate a conversation with someone not in their contact list. This notification will provide additional context about the sender, enabling users to decide whether to continue the conversation. The platform noted that scammers often begin contact through external platforms before redirecting users to WhatsApp, and this feature is intended to mitigate such tactics [1].

These updates follow a major enforcement action in which WhatsApp removed over 6.8 million accounts in the first half of 2025. The accounts were linked to scam centers operating globally, and the platform emphasized that they were taken down before they could begin active operations. WhatsApp stated that scammers frequently move across platforms to avoid detection, making their activities more complex and harder to track [1].

A recurring red flag highlighted by the platform is the demand for upfront payments in exchange for promised returns or earnings. WhatsApp advised users to pause and evaluate the legitimacy of messages before responding. The platform also noted that scammers often use a multi-platform approach, starting with text messages or social media and moving toward payment or cryptocurrency platforms [1].

In a specific example, WhatsApp collaborated with OpenAI to disrupt a scam operation traced to Cambodia. The scammers used AI tools like ChatGPT to generate initial messages directing users to WhatsApp and then to Telegram, where they were asked to perform tasks such as liking TikTok videos. Once trust was established, victims were encouraged to deposit funds into cryptocurrency accounts [1].

The introduction of these tools reflects WhatsApp’s strategic move to counter increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics. By combining proactive enforcement with user-focused safety measures, the platform aims to reduce the success of scam operations and protect users from falling victim to financial deception [1].

Source: [1] WhatsApp to introduce anti-scam tool after removing 6.8m accounts in H1’25 (https://technext24.com/2025/08/05/whatsapp-to-introduce-anti-scam-tool/)