Shock WhatsApp block bans 6.8 MILLION people from app – exact rules you must never break to avoid same fate
WHAT'S 'APPENED? Shock WhatsApp block bans 6.8 MILLION people from app – exact rules you must never break to avoid same fate
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WHATSAPP has revealed its taken down 6.8million accounts in a huge crackdown on serious misuse.
The Meta-owned messaging app said the banned accounts were linked to criminal scam centres targeting people across the world.
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WhatsApp has worked with ChatGPT to disrupt one criminal scam gang
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Many were tied to forced labour and run by organised crime gangs primarily situated in Southeast Asia, the firm claims.
The 6.8million accounts in question were all banned in the first six months of 2025.
"Based on our investigative insights into the latest enforcement efforts, we proactively detected and took down accounts before scam centers were able to operationalize them," the social networking giant said.
"These scam centers typically run many scam campaigns at once – from cryptocurrency investments to pyramid schemes.
"There is always a catch and it should be a red flag for everyone: you have to pay upfront to get promised returns or earnings."
Meta notes one example where it worked with ChatGPT owner OpenAI to disrupt a criminal scam being run out of Cambodia.
These tempted people with cash for liking social media posts to promote a fake rent-a-scooter pyramid scheme.
It comes as a new group messaging safety overview is rolled out to users from today.
This shows users key information when added to a group by someone not in their contacts.
Meta has three tips to help individuals avoid being scammed on WhatsApp.
WhatsApp reveals exacty how to block one of your contacts
Pause Take time before you respond.
Take time before you respond. Question : Question whether what's being asked makes sense and whether it's too good to be true.
: Question whether what's being asked makes sense and whether it's too good to be true. Verify: If they're claiming to be a friend or family member, make sure that they are who they say they are by contacting that friend directly.
"It's positive that WhatsApp has shut down 6.8 million accounts linked to scammers so far this year, but Meta must do much more to stop these criminals across all its platforms," said Lisa Webb, Which? Consumer Law Expert.
"In 2023 alone, £341 million was lost to authorised push payment fraudsters - over half of those scams were reported as originating on Meta platforms.
"For far too long, Meta has allowed scammers to run rampant across its platforms.
"Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp users are being inundated with fraudulent ads for everything from fake investment opportunities to dodgy products and non-existent job offers.
'Meta needs to ensure that scams are prevented from ever appearing on its platforms in the first place."
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