Meta Platforms Inc. announced new scam detection capabilities for its messaging applications, WhatsApp and Messenger, on Tuesday. The initiative aims to combat online fraud, specifically targeting older adults, by integrating proactive warnings and artificial intelligence-driven message analysis into the platforms, according to a company statement.
On WhatsApp, the company will implement a warning system that activates when users attempt to share their screen during calls, particularly with unknown contacts. Meta stated that this method is frequently exploited by scammers to solicit sensitive information, including banking details and verification codes. Concurrently, Messenger is undergoing tests for advanced scam detection techniques. These systems are designed to analyze incoming messages for suspicious elements, flagging them with alerts such as, \"be cautious, you could be at risk of losing money.\" The platform will also suggest blocking or reporting suspicious accounts and highlight common scam tactics, including fraudulent work-from-home opportunities or promises of easy financial gain, Meta indicated.
These feature introductions follow Meta's broader efforts against deceptive online operations. The company reported detecting and disrupting approximately 8 million accounts involved in scam activities during the first half of 2025. These operations were traced to various international regions, including Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines. Furthermore, Meta took action against over 21,000 Facebook Pages and accounts that impersonated legitimate customer support services, leveraging social engineering to trick users into divulging personal information. The prevalence of such impersonations has led many platform users to disregard messages claiming to be customer support, the company noted.
Meta is also formalizing its commitment by joining the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center, a non-profit organization established to foster collaboration between law enforcement and private sector entities, including AARP, Amazon, Capital One, Google, Microsoft, and Walmart, in the fight against elder fraud. Scam syndicates frequently employ social engineering tactics or cultivate romantic interests to exploit individuals who may be less familiar with current online security protocols, are lonely, or exhibit signs of early cognitive impairment. These fraudulent activities span across numerous digital platforms, encompassing social media, messaging applications, dating services, and cryptocurrency platforms, demonstrating the widespread nature of the threat.
