Here’s How to Use These New Tools!

With scams on the rise, WhatsApp is rolling out fresh safety tools to help protect users from online fraud. From crypto schemes to fake investment jobs, scammers are using messaging apps to trick people every day.

Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, has shared updates on its fight against these growing threats. This includes new anti-scam tools and practical safety tips every user should know.

WhatsApp Banned 6.8 Million Scam Accounts

In the first half of this year, WhatsApp banned over 6.8 million accounts. These accounts were linked to criminal scam centers, many of which are based in Southeast Asia.

Most of these scams begin before a person even realizes it. WhatsApp says it has proactively removed many accounts before scammers could even use them.

These actions follow deep investigations into how these scam operations run. The goal is to stop fraud before it starts.

How Online Scammers Trick You?

Criminal scam centers run multiple scams at once. Some offer fake jobs. Others promise crypto returns. But there’s always a catch — you must send money first.

Scammers often begin on dating apps or social media, then move victims to private messengers like WhatsApp. From there, people are directed to payment platforms or crypto apps.

Each step is planned. By spreading the scam across platforms, it becomes harder to track and shut down.

AI, ChatGPT, and the Role of Other Platforms

In a recent example, scammers used ChatGPT to write fake messages. These messages linked people to WhatsApp, then quickly shifted them to Telegram.

There, they were given tasks like liking videos, with promises of payment. After gaining trust, scammers asked them to deposit money into crypto wallets.

WhatsApp worked with Meta and OpenAI to identify and stop these scams. This cross-platform collaboration is key to protecting users everywhere.

New WhatsApp Features to Detect and Deter Scams

To tackle known scam tactics, WhatsApp is launching new features:

Group Safety Overview

If someone not in your contact list adds you to a group, you’ll now see a safety screen. It shows info about the group and lets you leave quietly. Notifications are muted unless you decide to stay.

Chat Warnings for Unknown Numbers

WhatsApp is testing alerts for when you message someone not in your contacts. It may show details to help you judge if the chat is safe.

These tools are designed to slow down scammers and help users make better choices.

Tips to Stay Safe on WhatsApp

Even with new tools, awareness is your best defense. WhatsApp encourages users to:

• Pause before replying to unknown numbers.
• Question if the request makes sense.
• Verify by contacting the person directly through a trusted method.

If someone claims to be a friend in trouble or offers easy cash for small tasks, take a moment. Quick money offers often hide big risks.

Why This Matters?

Scammers are getting smarter, and they’re using AI tools and messaging apps to trick people. WhatsApp’s latest updates focus on stopping fraud at the source. But they also aim to make users more aware.

Stay alert. Think twice. And remember — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.