Business News Editor
By Dave Munachi
In a sweeping global crackdown on digital fraud, Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has announced the deletion of seven million WhatsApp accounts linked to various forms of scam and malicious activity. The action, which reflects the tech giant’s intensified efforts to combat cybercrime, underscores the growing concern over how messaging platforms are being exploited by fraudsters and organized criminal networks.
According to Meta, the banned accounts were involved in a range of illicit behaviors including phishing, identity theft, investment scams, fake job offers, and romance fraud. Many of these scammers reportedly used advanced tactics such as social engineering, impersonation, and automation tools to reach unsuspecting users, both locally and internationally.
“We are committed to keeping WhatsApp safe and secure for its users,” a Meta spokesperson said. “The removal of these accounts is part of our ongoing strategy to detect and disrupt scam networks operating at scale. Our systems are designed to flag abnormal behavior, and we act quickly to take down accounts that violate our policies.”
WhatsApp, with over 2 billion active users globally, remains a prime target for scammers due to its end-to-end encryption and widespread usage across demographics. The platform uses AI and machine learning tools to identify suspicious activity patterns — such as bulk messaging, rapid account creation, or repeated reports by users — and then takes enforcement action where necessary.
Meta also encouraged users to remain vigilant and report suspicious accounts or messages, especially those requesting sensitive information, offering too-good-to-be-true deals, or urging users to click on unknown links. They reiterated that the company does not tolerate abuse of its services and will continue to refine its security systems to stay ahead of cybercriminals.
Cybersecurity experts have praised the move, calling it a necessary step in restoring trust in digital communications. However, they also warn that scammers are constantly evolving, and long-term protection will require both robust platform policies and user awareness.
As digital scams continue to rise globally, Meta’s bold action sends a clear message to bad actors: fraudulent activity will not go unchecked, and the days of hiding behind anonymous accounts may be numbered.
