In just the first half of 2025, Meta — the company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp — removed an astonishing 6.8 million accounts linked to scams and criminal activity. That’s millions of accounts shut down in six months.

These weren’t random spam messages. According to AP News, many were operated by coordinated criminal networks, some involving human trafficking and forced labor. This affects people of all professions, all places and all ages – usually emphasized on the young and elderly.

The takeaway? Scams are not just a personal risk — they’re a professional one. One wrong click can compromise business communications, expose sensitive data, and damage your reputation.

In this week’s Tech Tip Tuesday, we’re taking a closer look at how WhatsApp scams are evolving, why they’re spreading so quickly, and — most importantly — what you can do to protect yourself and the people around you.

Let’s start with a realistic example of what a scam message might look like in your WhatsApp chat:

WhatsApp: Your account will be suspended in 24 hours due to suspicious activity.

Verify your identity now to keep your account active:

https://whatsapp-security-check.com

It looks official and urgent — exactly what the scammer wants you to believe. But it’s fake. That link takes you to a phishing site built to steal your personal details, and possibly even your login credentials.

Scams like this work because they create panic and pressure, making you feel like you have to act immediately to avoid losing access. That rush to respond is exactly what gives scammers the opening they need.

Why WhatsApp?

With over 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp is encrypted, fast, and convenient — all of which make it appealing not only to legitimate users but also to scammers looking for a direct line into your personal or professional life.

Common tactics include:

• Fake investment offers (especially cryptocurrency)
• Impersonating someone you know or trust
• Adding you to unknown group chats
• Sending phishing links disguised as urgent requests
• Playing on emotion — e.g., “a friend in trouble” or “limited-time offer”

Many of these scams are polished and convincing, making them difficult to spot at a glance.

What Meta Is Doing — and Why It’s Not Enough

To fight back, Meta has introduced new WhatsApp features:

• Safety Overviews when someone outside your contacts adds you to a group
• Pause Prompts reminding you to stop and think before replying to suspicious messages

These features help, but they’re reactive. Scammers adapt quickly, and technology alone can’t prevent human mistakes. Awareness is still your strongest defense.

Ways to Stay Safe on WhatsApp (and Beyond)

Whether you use WhatsApp for quick check-ins with friends or daily communication with family, these steps can help keep you safe:

• Don’t engage with unknown numbers — block and report instead.
• Never click on unverified links — even if they seem to come from someone you know.
• Be cautious with urgent requests — urgency is a scammer’s favorite tool.
• Leave suspicious group chats immediately — and report them.
• Avoid sending sensitive or financial information via WhatsApp.
• Turn on Two-Step Verification — add a PIN for extra protection.
• Keep your apps and phone updated — security fixes matter.
• Talk to those most at risk — especially elderly relatives and younger users who may not realize how convincing scams can be.
• Report scam messages directly in the app — on the chat screen, tap the contact or group name at the top, scroll down, and select Report. This helps WhatsApp identify and block scam accounts faster.

From Personal Risk to Professional Threat: Why This Matters for Businesses

While scams often target individuals, organizations are not immune. Criminals know that breaching a company’s communications can have bigger — and more expensive — consequences. One successful WhatsApp phishing attack can:

• Compromise internal accounts
• Expose sensitive client or financial data
• Trigger ransomware infections
• Damage brand reputation
• Create financial and legal consequences

Even if your business uses WhatsApp casually — for quick team chats or customer updates — it can still be an easy entry point for cybercriminals.

Business Security Tips:

• Provide cybersecurity awareness training that includes messaging app scams
• Require Two-Step Verification on all work-related WhatsApp accounts
• Keep business and personal WhatsApp activity separate where possible
• Have a clear reporting process for suspicious messages so the team knows what to do immediately
• Avoid sharing sensitive work data in WhatsApp chats — use secure, approved channels instead

Final Word: Awareness Is Key

The removal of millions of scam accounts shows the scale of the problem — and that scammers are persistent. No app feature can replace your own caution.

And remember: the people most often targeted are also the least likely to spot a scam. Take a moment to talk to your family and friends, especially elderly and young users, about what to look for.

If you’re ever unsure about a message, don’t click, don’t reply, and don’t share information — verify first. It’s always better to double-check than to deal with the fallout of a scam.