The operation targeted scam centers in Southeast Asia—particularly Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand—where cybercrime rings often use forced labor.
WhatsApp has taken down 6.8 million accounts linked to malicious activities in the first half of 2024, Meta announced.
The operation targeted scam centers in Southeast Asia—particularly Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand—where cybercrime rings often use forced labor.
The platform deployed advanced detection algorithms and partnered with OpenAI to dismantle fraud schemes, including a Cambodian fake rent-a-scooter scam that used ChatGPT to create convincing promotional content.
“Meta’s infrastructure traced fraud patterns across SMS, social media, and cryptocurrency platforms,” the report noted.
WhatsApp also introduced new safety tools, including alerts for suspicious group invites and two-step verification.
Lisa Webb of UK consumer group Which? praised the crackdown but warned, “Meta must expand these efforts across Facebook and Instagram.”
With rising fraud concerns, UK regulator Ofcom is preparing stricter enforcement under the Online Safety Act.
Authorities in affected countries have also launched dedicated cybercrime and anti-trafficking units to combat the industry’s reliance on coerced labor.