Meta Removes 3.7 Million Accounts Linked to West African Scam Networks

Meta says it removed more than 3.7 million Facebook and Instagram accounts, pages and groups linked to online scam networks operating in West Africa. The coordinated operation involved technology firms and law-enforcement agencies from 10 countries, including Nigeria and Ghana. Authorities identified over 30 suspected scam centres, arrested 28 people and rescued 117 trafficking victims from a compound in Ghana. The victims were allegedly forced to work for scammers and endured malnutrition, physical abuse and psychological trauma. The networks reportedly used fake profiles to target people in the United States and the United Kingdom with investment, romance, job, online-sales and impersonation scams. Microsoft, Coinbase, Google, OpenAI, Starlink and Adobe also supported the wider operation.

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