Latest news with #ClairDeevy
HKFP
4 days ago
- Business
- HKFP
Meta says nearly 7 million WhatsApp accounts shut in first half of year in effort to thwart scammers
Meta on Tuesday said it shut nearly seven million WhatsApp accounts linked to scammers in the first half of this year and is ramping up safeguards against such schemes. 'Our team identified the accounts and disabled them before the criminal organizations that created them could use them,' WhatsApp external affairs director Clair Deevy said. Often run by organized gangs, the scams range from bogus cryptocurrency investments to get-rich-quick pyramid schemes, WhatsApp executives said in a briefing. '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-owned WhatsApp said in a blog post. WhatsApp detected and banned more than 6.8 million accounts linked to scam centers, most of them in Southeast Asia, according to Meta. WhatsApp and Meta worked with OpenAI to disrupt a scam traced to Cambodia that used ChatGPT to generate text messages containing a link to a WhatsApp chat to hook victims, according to the tech firms. Meta on Tuesday began prompting WhatsApp users to be wary when added to unfamiliar chat groups by people they don't know. New 'safety overviews' provide information about the group and tips on spotting scams, along with the option of making a quick exit. 'We've all been there: someone you don't know attempting to message you, or add you to a group chat, promising low-risk investment opportunities or easy money, or saying you have an unpaid bill that's overdue,' Meta said in a blog post. 'The reality is, these are often scammers trying to prey on people's kindness, trust and willingness to help — or, their fears that they could be in trouble if they don't send money fast.'
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Meta working to thwart WhatsApp scammers
Agencies Meta on Tuesday said it shut nearly seven million WhatsApp accounts linked to scammers in the first half of this year and is ramping up safeguards against such schemes. 'Our team identified the accounts and disabled them before the criminal organizations that created them could use them,' WhatsApp external affairs director Clair Deevy said. Often run by organized gangs, the scams range from bogus cryptocurrency investments to get-rich-quick pyramid schemes, WhatsApp executives said in a briefing. '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-owned WhatsApp said in a blog post. WhatsApp detected and banned more than 6.8 million accounts linked to scam centers, most of them in Southeast Asia, according to Meta. WhatsApp and Meta worked with OpenAI to disrupt a scam traced to Cambodia that used ChatGPT to generate text messages containing a link to a WhatsApp chat to hook victims, according to the tech 'safety overviews' provide information about the group and tips on spotting scams, along with the option of making a quick exit. 'We've all been there: someone you don't know attempting to message you, or add you to a group chat, promising low-risk investment opportunities or easy money, or saying you have an unpaid bill that's overdue,' Meta said in a blog post.
The South African
5 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Meta deletes 6.8M WhatsApp accounts in scam crackdown
On 5 August 2025, Meta confirmed that WhatsApp had deleted 6.8 million accounts linked to global scams. Meta reported that fraud networks operating from Southeast Asia's scam centres controlled the accounts and used forced labour in these scams, particularly in Cambodia and Myanmar. Meta removed most accounts before scammers could launch full-scale fraud campaigns. It increasingly uses proactive detection technologies to identify and eliminate scam accounts, often before users report them. Clair Deevy, WhatsApp's Director of External Affairs, affirmed the company's commitment to user safety and highlighted its investments in technology and partnerships to combat scams. Meta described the takedown of 6.8 million WhatsApp accounts as one of its largest anti-scam enforcement actions in 2025. Meta stated the campaign disrupted several networks before scams reached vulnerable users. Scammers often hijack verified accounts to create fake investment or trading groups. These scams typically start with casual messages and shift into private group chats. Scammers commonly exploit financial stress through pyramid schemes and fake crypto investments. Furthermore, Meta said scammers often request upfront fees for false investment returns or rewards. One group in Cambodia used ChatGPT to write step-by-step scam instructions for victims. Meta has employed advanced AI technologies, including those developed with input from AI research organisations, to help detect and dismantle pyramid schemes, such as fraudulent rent-a-scooter investment scams in Southeast Asia. Users were duped into 'investing' in digital scooters for fake passive income returns. Before investors received any earnings, the scammers disappeared with the money. Law enforcement also recommended that users always enable WhatsApp's two-step verification. Meta emphasised the importance of users regularly updating account security features. WhatsApp introduced new privacy features that block scam-related group invitations and alert users before unknown or non-contact numbers add them to groups. Messages from unfamiliar groups remain muted until users choose to interact directly. WhatsApp is testing warning prompts when users message unfamiliar or unsaved contacts, providing safety context before interaction. The app now shows sender context to help users judge message safety more easily. Meta said the new safety tools empower users to make informed communication decisions. These features help reduce users' exposure to scams across the entire platform. WhatsApp's updates aim to protect its global users from scams. The company said it will continue improving safety measures as scam tactics evolve and encourages users to promptly report suspicious messages using the in-app tools. According to Meltwater, WhatsApp reaches 93.9% of South Africa's online population. Authorities have recently uncovered scams that impersonate Old Mutual. South African police have urged citizens to report scam messages without hesitation. Furthermore, Meta said scammers often focus on regions where WhatsApp usage is high and growing. Fraud syndicates use local languages and themes to increase message credibility and success. Meta is actively monitoring fraud centres that target Africa's fast-growing digital markets. The company said it is investing in local partnerships to strengthen community awareness. As a result, authorities warned users to remain vigilant and avoid unsolicited investment opportunities. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Arab News
5 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Meta says working to thwart WhatsApp scammers
SAN FRANCISCO: Meta on Tuesday said it shut nearly seven million WhatsApp accounts linked to scammers in the first half of this year and is ramping up safeguards against such schemes. 'Our team identified the accounts and disabled them before the criminal organizations that created them could use them,' WhatsApp external affairs director Clair Deevy said. Often run by organized gangs, the scams range from bogus cryptocurrency investments to get-rich-quick pyramid schemes, WhatsApp executives said in a briefing. '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-owned WhatsApp said in a blog post. WhatsApp detected and banned more than 6.8 million accounts linked to scam centers, most of them in Southeast Asia, according to Meta. WhatsApp and Meta worked with OpenAI to disrupt a scam traced to Cambodia that used ChatGPT to generate text messages containing a link to a WhatsApp chat to hook victims, according to the tech firms. Meta on Tuesday began prompting WhatsApp users to be wary when added to unfamiliar chat groups by people they don't know. New 'safety overviews' provide information about the group and tips on spotting scams, along with the option of making a quick exit. 'We've all been there: someone you don't know attempting to message you, or add you to a group chat, promising low-risk investment opportunities or easy money, or saying you have an unpaid bill that's overdue,' Meta said in a blog post. 'The reality is, these are often scammers trying to prey on people's kindness, trust and willingness to help — or, their fears that they could be in trouble if they don't send money fast.'
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
New WhatsApp alert you must not ignore affects ALL group chats – & missing it could leave your bank empty
The feature builds upon the 'context card' that the messaging service rolled out last year CHAT'S TERRIBLE New WhatsApp alert you must not ignore affects ALL group chats – & missing it could leave your bank empty WHATSAPP users are being urged not to ignore a new alert that is designed to help them avoid scams. Global cyber crime is on the rise with 73 per cent of adults in the US recently reporting they had experienced an online attack. 1 New feature affects anyone using the service who is invited to a group chat WhatsApp is adding an additional feature designed to protect users from group chat scams that could empty their bank accounts. The new feature will affect anyone using the service who is invited to a group chat. "When someone you might not know invites you to a group chat, the app will display a new 'safety overview' that appears before you can even see the messages," reported The Verge, "The overview will include information about the group, including when it was created, who invited you, and how many members it has. "It will also include a warning to watch out for scams, as well as information on how to limit who can invite you to group chats on WhatsApp. "Once you've viewed this page, you can choose to exit the group without even looking at the chat or view the chat for more information." Context cards The feature builds upon the 'context card' that WhatsApp rolled out last year, which shows key information about a group. While context cards will appear for all the groups you're invited to, WhatsApp's new safety overviews will appear as an 'interstitial' page when someone you might not recognise sends you an invite. These overviews tie into WhatsApp's broader initiative to combat scams, which have become increasingly prevalent. Monkey gang caught 'running scam' targeting tourists at sacred temple A recent survey from the Pew Research Center stated 73 per cent of adults in the US say they've experienced a scam or attack. In June, WhatsApp worked with Meta and OpenAI to take down a criminal scam center in Cambodia, which used ChatGPT to create text messages promising work to people who joined a WhatsApp chat group. Bad actors After directing people to Telegram, scammers asked them to 'like' videos on TikTok as their first task. The bad actors then showed people fake reports about how much money they had 'earned' and later asked them to deposit money into a cryptocurrency account as another 'task'. Other forms of the scam involved a rental scooter pyramid scheme and trying to get people to invest in crypto, according to WhatsApp. 'By using more platforms, they're trying to cover their tracks,' said Clair Deevy, WhatsApp's director of external affairs. 'But it also means that when we are working together, they are exposing themselves to more detection systems and teams across all the platforms at once.' Along with its new group chat safety feature, WhatsApp is also testing ways to fight scams that involve bad actors contacting you on other platforms before asking you to transfer your conversation to WhatsApp. It is trying out new ways to alert people to 'pause' before they start a chat with someone not in their contacts and will show more context about who they're about to message.
