Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has deleted 63,000 accounts linked to the “Yahoo Boys” scam network, as revealed in its Q1 2024 Adversarial Threat Report.
These accounts, involved in financial sextortion and blackmail, were removed over recent weeks. Meta’s efforts targeted both a large network in Nigeria and a smaller network of 2,500 accounts focused on adult men in the U.S.
The company used advanced detection methods and investigations to identify and disable these accounts.
Meta also removed about 7,200 assets, including Facebook accounts, pages, and groups involved in scam activities. The company has collaborated with law enforcement and other tech firms through programs like the Tech Coalition’s Lantern and supports initiatives such as Project Boost, which trains law enforcement worldwide.
Additionally, Meta has implemented stricter safety settings for younger users and provided safety notices to encourage cautious online behavior.
This update comes amid ongoing legal challenges, including a recent $220 million fine imposed by Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for data protection violations, which Meta plans to appeal.
