WhatsApp launched security equipment after banning millions of scam accounts

Scammers are working more hard to trick people online, but WhatsApp is coming back on a large scale. In the first half of 2025, WhatsApp removed more than 6.8 million accounts tied to the global scam network, many of them run by criminal groups and even forced labor camps in Southeast Asia.

At the same time, the app is rolling new tools to make it easier to spot scams while messaging. These updates come because fraudsters rapidly use chats such as private messaging apps, dating platforms, social media and even AI Tools to run their plans. Let’s break what is new, how scams are developing and what you can do now to protect yourself.

Sign up for my free cyber report
Distribute my best technical tips, immediate safety alerts, and exclusive deals directly into your inbox. In addition, you will get immediate access to my final scam survival guide – when you join me Cyberguy.com/newsletter

How scammers are targeting WhatsApp users

Online scams no longer live on just one platform. Criminal operations often begin with a text or dating app, go to WhatsApp, and end on the Telegram or Crypto exchange. In only one plan, scammers can run a victim through five separate apps to detect fraud.

Many American Cancer Center hit in coordinated Fishing Breech

Recently in a Techdown, WhatsApp and Meta participated with OpenaiI to stop the operation of a scam related to Cambodia. The fraud used Chatgpt to generate messages that offer “such as-for-pay” gigs. The victims were asked to convey a message on WhatsApp, then went to Telegram and asked to like the Tikok video. Once built the trust, the scammers asked for crypto deposits to unlock fake earnings.

These scams eat on financial stress and urgency. If someone promises rapid cash, easy returns or pressure, you should work quickly, stop and think.

New WhatsApp Anti-Scam Tool

To prevent scams before spreading, WhatsApp is introducing new features to give you more control.

Group safety observation

If a person who is not in your contacts, adds you to a group, now you will see a safety screen with details about group and privacy tips. You can leave the group immediately, without reading the same message. As long as you confirm that you want to live.

Additional warnings for unknown contacts

Scammers often arrive at social media or dating sites, then ask to switch to WhatsApp. To help you look at these red flags, WhatsApp is testing alert that shows that when you do not give a message to someone in your contacts. These alerts provide additional reference so that you can decide what to attach.

How to avoid common messages scams

WhatsApp has shared with Internet Safety Specialist Rachel Tobac to stop scams to share this three-step strategy, before they succeed:

1) break

Reduce speed If you do not recognize the number or feel the message closed, wait before the answer.

2) Question

Does it feel realistic? Are they asking for money, pin or gift cards? Are they offering big payments for small work? These are classic scam signals.

3) verify

If someone claims to be a friend or relative, contact them through any other method already used, such as calling their regular phone number.

How to protect yourself from WhatsApp scam

Even WhatsApp does not end there, with the removal of accounts associated with the 6.8 million scam, the responsibility of being safe does not end there. Scammers will always find new angles and often hunting the same people in many platforms. This is why it is smart to take additional steps from WhatsApp offer. Five ways to connect security layers are given here:

1) Use strong antivirus software

Scammers often try to click on the link or download the files that can compromise your device. A strong antivirus program can damage these dangers before they cause damage. It can also alert you for dismissal fishing efforts in the form of WhatsApp messages. The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that installs malware, potentially reaches your personal information, is a strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This security can also make you alert for email and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my pics for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices Cyberguy.com/Lockupyourtch

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

2) Set strict privacy control in WhatsApp

The border that can add you to group chat or see your personal information. Go to your WhatsApp privacy settings and replace “groups” “my contacts” or “except my contacts …” to avoid pulling into suspicious chats. Here is told who can add you to WhatsApp group chat:

• Open WhatsApp On your phone.
• Tap setting Icon:On iphone: Below right corner.On Android: Tap three dots on the top right, then choose setting(SEttings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone)
• On iphone: Below right corner.
• On Android: Tap three dots on the top right, then choose setting(SEttings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone)
• Tap Secrecy,
• Scroll down and tap Group,
• Choose one of the following options:Everyone – Anyone can add you to groups. (not recommended)My contact – People can add you to your contacts.Except for my contacts … – Select the specific contacts you want to block by adding to groups.
• Everyone – Anyone can add you to groups. (not recommended)
• My contact – People can add you to your contacts.
• Except for my contacts … – Select the specific contacts you want to block by adding to groups.
• Tap Done Or back arrows to save your settings.

Pro tip: When you are in the privacy menu, review other settings like profile photo, About thisAnd Last looked and onlineSet them My contact Or nobody For even more control that can see your personal information.

3) Remove your personal data from the web

Scammers often earn the Internet for names, numbers, emails and social media accounts to assure their messages more. A personal data removal service can help scrub your details from the data broker sites, making it difficult for scammers to target you.

While no service can guarantee the removal of your data from the Internet completely, a data removal service is actually a smart option. They are not cheap nor your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically monitoring your personal information from hundreds of websites. This is what gives me peace of mind and has proved to be the most effective way to eradicate your personal data from the Internet.

By limiting the available information, you reduce the risk of cross-referring data from breech to scams cross-referenceing data, which they can find on the dark web, making it difficult for them to target them.

See my top pics for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already on the web Cyberguy.com/Delete

Get a free scan to know if your personal information is already on the web: Cyberguy.com/freescan

Get Fox Business when you click here

4) Enable two-factor authentication

Turn on two-step verification in WhatsApp so that someone can be prevented from kidnapping their account. This adds an additional PIN code that cannot get through scammers, even if they trick you to disclose your login credentials.

How to enable two-step verification in WhatsApp

• Open WhatsApp On your phone.
• Tap setting Icon:On iphone: Below right corner.On Android: Tap three dots on the top right, then choose setting(SEttings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone.)
• On iphone: Below right corner.
• On Android: Tap three dots on the top right, then choose setting(SEttings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone.)
• Tap Account,
• Tap Two-step verification,
• Tap Able Or Turn on,
• create a 6 digits pin You may remember.
• Confirmation pin,
• (Alternative but recommended) Add your email addressThis allows you to reset the pin if you forget it.
• Tap next And then Done,

Once capable, WhatsApp will sometimes ask you to re-enter your pin to help you remember it. This pair layer of security helps to block scammers, even if they get access to your phone number or SIM card.

5) Do not mix platforms while chatting

If someone gives you a message on WhatsApp, but says that they have been found on Instagram or Dating app, be additional alert. Criminal scam centers rely on hopping between platforms to avoid detection. Do not follow the link or transfer conversations until you confirm the identity on any other reliable channel.

What does it mean to you

If you use WhatsApp, these new equipment gives you more controls that contact you and how. Scams are not always clear, but with the underlying security facilities and little doubt, you can avoid expensive mistakes. The fact is that WhatsApp has banned millions of accounts, showing how broad and organized these scams are. Being informed is the first line of your protection.

Click here to get Fox News app

Kurt’s major takeaways

Scammers will always look for new ways to trick people, but apps such as WhatsApp are fighting back with smart equipment and better security. Knowing what to see and how to answer, all can distinguish. So before you click, answer or share, take a moment to stop, ask and verify.

Have you ever been targeted by a scam on WhatsApp or any other app? Write us and tell us Cyberguy.com/Contact

Sign up for my free cyber report
Distribute my best technical tips, immediate safety alerts, and exclusive deals directly into your inbox. In addition, you will get immediate access to my final scam survival guide – when you join me Cyberguy.com/newsletter

Copyright 2025 cyberguy.com. All rights reserved.