Meta’s surprise deactivation of seven million accounts in 2024 reveals the staggering scale of financial scammers targeting unsuspecting users across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Key Takeaways
- Meta has removed over seven million scam-related accounts in 2024 that used fake celebrity endorsements, romance scams, and fraudulent investment opportunities.
- The FTC reports Americans lost $5.7 billion to investment scams in 2024, a 24% increase from the previous year.
- Meta has implemented optional video selfie verification to combat celebrity impersonation scams and added warnings in Messenger for advance payment requests.
- Users are encouraged to perform “Privacy check-ups” and update settings to control what personal information is visible to others.
- Meta partnered with internet safety experts to create educational resources about avoiding online financial scams.
The Seven Million Account Purge
In a massive crackdown against financial fraud, Meta has deactivated more than seven million user accounts in 2024 alone. These accounts were primarily engaged in running sophisticated scams across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp platforms, leveraging fake celebrity endorsements, fabricating romantic relationships, and promoting fraudulent investment opportunities. The scale of this purge demonstrates the growing sophistication of online scammers and Meta’s escalating efforts to combat them before they can victimize more users.
“Investment scams are designed to lure people into investing in fraudulent or non-existent opportunities. These scams often promise quick and easy returns with little to no risk on assets like shares of a company, cryptocurrency, real estate or precious metals and coins. Scammers often contact people by email, social media, texts or calls with offers of “exclusive” or special opportunities, or invitations to join “investment coaching” groups,” according to Meta.
The timing of this aggressive anti-scam campaign coincides with alarming data from the Federal Trade Commission showing that American consumers lost a staggering $5.7 billion to investment scams in 2024, marking a 24% increase from the previous year. This rising trend of financial fraud has pushed Meta to strengthen its detection systems and remove fraudulent accounts at an unprecedented scale and pace.
New Protective Measures
Meta has implemented several innovative protective measures to shield users from scammers. One significant addition is the optional video selfie verification system designed specifically to combat celebrity impersonation scams that have proliferated across their platforms. The company has also added automated warnings in Messenger that appear when someone requests advance payments, a common tactic in romance and investment scams where fraudsters build trust before requesting money transfers.
— H (@H3raclit3an) April 11, 2025
“One of the more prevalent scam texts going around right now is telling people they have an outstanding toll, and to avoid losing their license, they need to pay a fee, said Sandy Ozier.
Meta is strongly encouraging users to perform regular “Privacy check-ups” and update their account settings to control what personal information is visible to others. By limiting access to personal details, users can reduce their vulnerability to targeted scams. The company has also partnered with internet safety expert Rachel Tobac to create educational video content explaining common scam techniques and prevention strategies.
The Evolving Scam Landscape
Scammers continually adapt their methods to exploit current events and economic uncertainties. In recent months, fraud tactics have expanded to include QR code manipulation, where criminals place fake codes over legitimate ones to redirect payments. Other common approaches involve unsolicited messages claiming to be from well-known companies, celebrities, or even former classmates, all designed to establish trust before executing financial fraud.
“Safety is a conversation and a responsibility we all share,” according to Meta.
The technological battle between platforms and scammers shows no signs of slowing down. While Meta has made significant progress in identifying and removing fraudulent accounts, the company acknowledges that scammers continuously develop new tactics to evade detection. This cat-and-mouse game requires constant vigilance from both platform providers and users who must stay informed about emerging threats.
Protecting Yourself Online
Meta advises several practical steps for users to protect themselves. First, be suspicious of any unexpected financial opportunity, especially those promising unusually high returns with minimal risk. Second, verify the identity of anyone requesting money by using multiple communication channels. Third, never share sensitive information like passwords or two-factor authentication codes with anyone, regardless of how legitimate they may appear.
“You try to enter $100, but it only shows $10,” said Ozier. “So you think you missed a zero and so you hit the zero again and again. You end up approving a transaction for $1,000 or $10,000 for a service that isn’t even legitimate,” said Sandy Ozier.
Reporting suspicious activity directly through platform-specific options is another crucial step in combating scams. Each report helps Meta refine its detection systems and identify emerging fraud patterns before they can spread widely. The company emphasizes that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility requiring active participation from both platform providers and users to create a safer online environment.
