Meta Leads Crackdown With Microsoft and Coinbase Against West African Online Scam Networks

Meta removed over 3.7 million Facebook and Instagram accounts linked to West African scams, as a crackdown led to 28 arrests and rescued 117 victims in Ghana.

By Juliet Umeh Nigeria and Ghana have come under the spotlight after an international operation against online fraud networks in West Africa led Meta to remove more than 3.7 million accounts, Pages and Groups from Facebook and Instagram. The operation involved law enforcement agencies from 10 countries and 15 technology companies. It resulted in 28 […] The post Nigeria, Ghana in spotlight as Meta removes 3.7m accounts in scam crackdown appeared first on Vanguard News.

 Meta says it has removed more than 3.7 million accounts, pages and groups from Facebook and Instagram, in a joint operation targeting scam networks operating in West Africa.   In a web post on Tuesday, Meta said the operation involved 14 other technology companies and law enforcement agencies from 10 countries.   The operation, coordinated by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) in partnership with the US Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other agencies, also led to the identification of more than 30 suspected scam centres.   According to Meta, law enforcement confirmed the arrest of 28 individuals and the rescue of 117 people who had been trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.     The rescued victims were reportedly held against their will in a residential compound, where they suffered malnutrition and physical and psychological abuse.   Meta said most of the accounts, pages and groups it removed appeared to target people in the United States and United Kingdom through profiles impersonating American and British users.   Microsoft also suspended accounts suspected of being linked to the fraudulent activities.     Coinbase, a cryptocurrency exchange, identified more than 65 active scam victims and prevented potential losses exceeding $415,000, according to the statement.   The operation brought together technology companies, including Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Coinbase, Starlink and Adobe, alongside law enforcement agencies from Nigeria, Ghana, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India.   Meta said the collaboration enabled participants to share intelligence across digital platforms, jurisdictions and financial systems to identify criminal networks and disrupt their operations.   The fraud schemes targeted by the operation included cryptocurrency investment scams, fake job offers, romance scams, impersonation of law enforcement officers and military personnel, and fraudulent online sales.     The operation also targeted so-called scam recovery schemes, in which fraudsters exploit previous victims by promising to recover stolen money in exchange for upfront payments.   Chris Sonderby, Meta’s vice-president and deputy general counsel, said the operation demonstrated the importance of cooperation between technology companies and law enforcement agencies.   He said the company would continue working with partners to pursue scammers and disrupt their operations wherever they operate.   Nick Sharp, NCA deputy director of fraud, said the collaboration helped authorities target criminals responsible for fraud affecting thousands of victims.     He added that the agency will continue working with international and private-sector partners to tackle fraud networks operating across borders.   The operation comes amid growing concerns over organised online fraud, with criminal networks using scam centres to recruit workers, train them in deception techniques and coordinate fraudulent campaigns against victims around the world.     “Tech companies play a pivotal role in disrupting scam operations. But meaningful progress ultimately depends on real consequences for the criminal organizations behind these schemes,” the statement said.   “This model of industry and law enforcement working side by side delivers those consequences, and Meta and our partners are committed to ensuring its ongoing strength and repeatability.”   IN