WhatsApp Tightens Security to Tackle Global Scam Surge

More than 6 million fake accounts banned in 2025, with new safety tools now rolling out to protect users from fraud and spam

If you’ve ever been added to a random WhatsApp group promising quick cash through a crypto scheme, you’re not alone. And thankfully, WhatsApp is finally taking serious steps to clamp down on the scammers behind these dodgy messages.

Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has confirmed a major security update aimed at fighting back against a surge of sophisticated online scams. This includes a wave of account bans and the roll-out of new in-app features that could make a big difference in protecting everyday users.

A wave of bans and rising scam sophistication

In just the first six months of 2025, WhatsApp proactively banned over 6.8 million accounts linked to global scam operations. These are not your average spam bots — they’re part of criminal scam centres running elaborate schemes that trick users into giving up money or personal information.

From fake investment opportunities and pyramid schemes to shady romance-based crypto traps, the scams have become more complex and harder to trace. Many start outside WhatsApp — on dating apps, SMS, or social media — and then move to private chat apps like WhatsApp to finalise the con.

New tools to stop scammers in their tracks

To fight this growing problem, WhatsApp is introducing new in-app defences designed to catch red flags early.

One of the key features now being tested is a group safety overview. If you’re added to a group by someone who isn’t saved in your contacts, WhatsApp will show you an overview of the group’s details and safety tips — before you even see the messages. You’ll also have the option to exit the group quietly, without any notifications, and group alerts will remain silenced unless you choose to interact.

In one-on-one messaging, WhatsApp is also experimenting with warnings for chats with unknown contacts. These alerts will include more information about the sender, helping users decide whether they want to engage or steer clear.

Why this matters, especially for South Africans

Scam operations targeting South Africans via WhatsApp have been well documented — from fake loan offers and job scams to the infamous “blesser” crypto investments that circulate through group invites. Many of these scams specifically target young adults, the unemployed, and even small business owners looking for quick cash or funding help.

By focusing on in-app detection and giving users better tools to spot dodgy messages early, WhatsApp is aiming to cut these fraudsters off before they gain traction.

The fight isn’t over

“The fight against scams is a relentless one,” said Kojo Boakye, Meta’s VP of Public Policy for Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey. “We are continually evolving our defences to stay ahead of bad actors.”

The approach now is to look beyond WhatsApp and treat scam operations as cross-platform threats. Meta says these schemes often move between services to avoid being caught, so it’s now working on more cohesive strategies to disrupt them across the entire ecosystem — from chat apps to payment platforms.

What users can do right now

While WhatsApp’s upgrades are welcome, users still need to stay vigilant. Here are a few practical tips to stay safe:

• Don’t engage with unknown numbers or unsolicited group invites.

• Be wary of any message offering money in exchange for upfront payments.

• Report and block suspicious contacts immediately.

• If something sounds too good to be true — especially on WhatsApp — it probably is.

South African users can expect to see these new safety features rolled out gradually over the coming months.

Let’s hope this marks a turning point in the battle to make the country’s most-used messaging app a safer place for everyone.

Source:Tech Central 

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