Online scams are evolving, and so is the technology fighting back. Meta has shared an update on its latest efforts to combat fraud across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, combining global law enforcement partnerships with new in-app tools designed to keep people safe.
At the heart of these efforts is a coordinated international initiative, led by the Royal Thai Police, that brought together Meta, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the U.S. FBI, and law enforcement agencies from Singapore, Indonesia, Korea, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The goal: disrupt organised scam networks in Southeast Asia targeting victims across the APAC region, including Australians.
The results speak for themselves. Meta disabled over 150,000 accounts linked to scam centres, while the Royal Thai Police arrested 21 individuals involved in scam activity. These operations build on previous international collaborations, with Meta removing more than 59,000 fake or high-risk pages during a similar disruption late last year.
“Scam centres and criminal syndicates prey on victims around the world,” says Detective Superintendent Kristie Cressy of the AFP. “Success from the joint disruption week is only achieved through strong partnerships with agencies around the world with a common goal, which is to prevent scammers taking advantage of innocent people.”
Meta’s approach combines enforcement with technology, using the latest tools to prevent scams before they reach users. This includes new warnings on Facebook when receiving suspicious friend requests — for example, if an account shows unusual activity, has few mutual friends, or indicates a different country location. WhatsApp now alerts users if behavioural signals suggest a device linking request might be suspicious, including information about where the request originated. Messenger has expanded its advanced scam detection capabilities to more countries, including Australia, warning users about messages that show patterns common in scams, such as fraudulent job offers or investment schemes.
Advertiser verification is another key focus. Meta aims to ensure that 90% of global ad revenue comes from verified advertisers by the end of 2026, focusing on high-risk categories. This expansion builds on existing protections while maintaining legitimate advertising for small businesses and local operators.
The scale of the challenge is significant. Last year, Meta removed over 159 million scam ads globally, with 92% taken down proactively before users reported them. Additionally, Meta disabled 10.9 million accounts associated with scam centres across Facebook and Instagram. In Australia alone, the company removed over 497,000 scam ads, more than 104,000 pieces of scam content on Facebook, and tens of thousands of accounts on both Facebook and Instagram. Importantly, Meta removed the majority of these proactively, highlighting how automated detection and advanced monitoring increasingly keep platforms safe.
The tactics employed by scammers have grown increasingly sophisticated. Some networks now leverage AI to scale operations, producing highly targeted and convincing content. For example, a Cameroon-based scam operation involving 100 groups and 12,000 accounts used AI to generate location-specific messages, realistic product descriptions, and even animal images for fraudulent pet adoption scams. These campaigns targeted users in multiple countries, including Australia, asking for upfront payments under the guise of vet care or shipping fees.
Meta’s combination of global enforcement, AI-driven detection, and proactive user warnings is designed to counter this industrialisation of scams. As Chris Sonderby, Meta’s Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, explains, “This operation is a testament to how sharing information and coordinating our efforts can make real progress in disrupting this criminal activity at its source. Our work to combat scams is never done, and we will continue to invest in technology and partnerships to stay ahead of these adversaries.”
Cheryl Seeto, Head of Policy for Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands at Meta, adds: “Continued collaboration across borders and sectors is critical to protecting people from online fraud and strengthening the safety and integrity of the digital ecosystem.”
For users, these updates mean a more secure experience across Meta’s platforms. From sending suspicious friend request alerts on Facebook and issuing device linking warnings on WhatsApp, to expanding advanced scam detection on Messenger and enforcing stricter advertiser verification, Meta equips users with tools that reduce risk and help them make informed decisions online.
While scammers continue to evolve, Meta’s combined approach — pairing law enforcement collaboration with advanced technology — shows how proactive measures can make a tangible difference. In a digital landscape where fraud can reach across borders in seconds, coordinated global action and smart, preventative tools are increasingly essential to keeping communities safe.
As these new features roll out, users can take comfort in knowing that the platforms they rely on for connection, commerce, and creativity are actively working to disrupt scams before they reach their screens — proving that even in the complex world of digital fraud, prevention is possible.
