WhatsApp is introducing new safety tools and strengthening its anti-scam measures following the removal of over 6.8 million scam-linked accounts in the first half of 2025. The company says these actions are part of a broader effort to protect users against increasingly sophisticated fraud operations that often span multiple platforms.
According to WhatsApp, many scams originate from organized criminal centers running large-scale campaigns such as cryptocurrency fraud and pyramid schemes. These schemes often begin on dating apps or through unsolicited text messages before moving to platforms like WhatsApp, where scammers attempt to build trust before directing victims to payment or cryptocurrency services.
In one recent case, WhatsApp, Meta, and OpenAI collaborated to disrupt a scam network based in Cambodia. The group reportedly used ChatGPT to generate initial messages that lured victims to WhatsApp, then shifted the conversation to Telegram, where targets were assigned tasks such as liking TikTok videos. Eventually, victims were pressured into making cryptocurrency deposits.
To address these tactics, WhatsApp is rolling out two key safety updates. The first targets group messages: if someone not in your contacts adds you to a group, the app will now display a safety overview with group details and security tips, allowing you to leave without opening the chat. Notifications from these groups will be silenced until you choose to engage. The second focuses on one-on-one conversations with unknown contacts, offering additional context about the sender before you reply — a feature currently in testing.
The platform is also promoting a “Pause, Question, Verify” approach for handling unexpected messages. This means taking time before responding, questioning the legitimacy of the request, and verifying the sender’s identity through another trusted channel.
WhatsApp says it will continue working with industry partners and refining its security tools to counter evolving scam tactics, with the goal of creating a safer digital environment for its global user base.
