Meta removes more than 150,000 accounts

Meta recently participated in a large-scale international operation against organized online fraud. As part of this operation, more than 150,000 accounts on Facebook and Instagram were deactivated. The accounts were linked to networks of so-called scam centers operating mainly in Southeast Asian countries.

The operation was carried out in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from several countries, including the Taiwanese police, the US FBI and other international agencies. The operation was part of a broader project known as Joint Disruption Week, which aims to disrupt organized crime networks that carry out online fraud on a global scale.

According to investigators, many of the scams were linked to organized centers in countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos, where criminal groups run complex online fraud operations. Common tactics include romance scams, fake investment offers or pretending to be government officials.

As part of the operation, Thai police arrested 21 people believed to be directly involved in organizing these criminal activities. It is one of the largest coordinated actions against online fraud in recent times.

Meta also announced additional security features on its platforms, including warnings about suspicious friend requests on Facebook, improved fraud detection in Messenger, and additional security alerts in WhatsApp. These features are designed to alert users to potential scams in a timely manner.

Online fraud has become a highly organized activity in recent years, often operating as a full-fledged industry. Criminal groups use social engineering, fake identities and even artificial intelligence to convince victims to send money or reveal personal information.