Meta cracks down on Nigerian fraud network, removes 63k accounts
1:12 PM EDT, July 25, 2024
Meta removed about 63,000 Instagram accounts connected to a network of cybercriminals operating in Nigeria. The fraudsters used the popular social media platform to carry out their schemes and engage in various criminal activities, including financial fraud and sextortion.
Meta is removing fake social media accounts that were engaged in sexual fraud. The scammers often pose online as young women to persuade men to send sexually explicit material and then blackmail their victims.
After collecting such material, the perpetrator threatens to disclose it if the demanded amount is not paid publicly. Cases of crimes related to sextortion often have tragic consequences for the victims.
On Wednesday, Meta announced that it removed about 63,000 Instagram accounts connected to these types of activities. This move aims to combat the growing problem and protect users from online threats.
Scammers on Facebook
According to the BBC, 5,700 groups on Facebook were also removed where scammers provided advice on how to cheat people. Experts and authorities have long warned social media users about the dangers related to various types of scams.
In May, the BBC revealed that guides on sextortion were being sold on social media platforms. Scammers instructed how to impersonate people who might pique the user's interest to persuade them to send intimate photos.
Who are the Yahoo Boys?
Meta stated that it removed accounts linked to a broader, informal network of cybercriminals operating in Nigeria, known as the "Yahoo Boys."
The fraudsters are on a list compiled by the tech giant of dangerous organizations and individuals banned from using its platforms. The company claims it uses a combination of different technologies to identify accounts that may be involved in fraud or attempts at sexual exploitation.
According to the BBC, this includes automatically blurring nude photos sent to users in messages. Additionally, users are shown a message stating they do not need to respond to a message from a potential scammer. Furthermore, they can immediately block the sender and report the chat.
