Meta is finally fighting back against the scam epidemic plaguing its platforms. The company just rolled out AI-powered protection features across WhatsApp and Messenger, specifically designed to shield older adults from increasingly sophisticated fraud operations. With 8 million scammer accounts disrupted in just six months, this move can't come soon enough.
Meta just declared war on the scammers who've turned its platforms into hunting grounds for vulnerable seniors. The social media giant announced new AI-powered detection features for WhatsApp and Messenger that specifically target the fraud operations bleeding older adults dry.
The timing isn't coincidental. Meta says it's detected and disrupted about 8 million accounts engaging in scam operations during the first half of 2025 alone, including massive operations based in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines. The company also took down over 21,000 Facebook Pages masquerading as customer support to steal personal information.
The new WhatsApp feature tackles one of the most insidious scam techniques - screen sharing during video calls. When users try to share their screen with an unknown contact, the app now displays a prominent warning. Scammers use this method to trick victims into revealing bank details, verification codes, and other sensitive information in real-time.
Meanwhile, Messenger is getting more sophisticated. The platform now uses advanced AI to analyze incoming messages for scam patterns. When suspicious content is detected, users see a clear warning: "be cautious, you could be at risk of losing money." The alert includes educational content about common fraud techniques like work-from-home schemes and get-rich-quick offers, plus options to block or report the suspicious account.
The scale of the problem is staggering. Scam syndicates don't just target social media - they've spread across messaging apps, dating platforms, and crypto exchanges. They prey on seniors using social engineering, fake romantic relationships, and exploit loneliness or early-stage dementia. The result? Families torn apart as victims lose life savings to sophisticated psychological manipulation.
"Scammers often use social engineering techniques or romantic interest to lure in victims who are not as online savvy," the TechCrunch report notes. The human cost extends beyond financial damage - embarrassment and family conflict often prevent victims from seeking help or admitting they've been targeted.
