In a significant move to combat financial sextortion scams, Meta has removed 63,000 accounts associated with the Nigerian cybercrime scene. These accounts, engaged in targeting users in the United States, were identified and disabled using advanced technical signals and thorough investigations.
The removed accounts included a smaller coordinated network of approximately 2,500 accounts linked to a group of about 20 individuals. These individuals targeted primarily adult men in the U.S. and used fake accounts to mask their identities.
To enhance its automated detection systems, Meta has taken the following measures:
– Removed around 7,200 assets in Nigeria, including 1,300 Facebook accounts, 200 pages, and 5,700 groups involved in disseminating scam-related resources.
– Introduced stricter messaging settings for users under 16 (under 18 in certain countries) to promote cautious behavior online.
– Collaborated with law enforcement, supporting investigations and prosecutions by responding to legal requests and alerting authorities to imminent threats.
Meta’s efforts to safeguard users and combat cybercrime are ongoing, ensuring a safer online environment for everyone.
