Meta Cracks Down on 63,000 Accounts for Sextortion Scams

Meta has taken significant steps to combat financial sextortion scams by removing approximately 63,000 accounts in Nigeria. These accounts, primarily targeting adult men in the United States, were involved in “sextortion” – a practice where individuals are threatened with the release of compromising photos unless they pay.

In addition to these accounts, Meta also removed 7,200 Facebook accounts, pages, and groups that provided tips on scamming people. A smaller network of about 2,500 accounts linked to around 20 individuals was also dismantled.

The infamous Nigerian online fraudsters, commonly known as “Yahoo boys,” have a notorious history of various scams, including posing as people in financial need or as Nigerian princes promising significant investment returns. These scams, often referred to as “419 scams” after the section of Nigeria’s penal code dealing with fraud, have evolved and grown with increasing economic hardships in the country.

Meta’s actions are part of a broader effort to combat online scams and protect users from digital threats. The company emphasized the importance of awareness, stating that this is not their first effort to disrupt such networks but disclosed this operation to highlight the ongoing issue.

The social media giant has faced increasing pressure from governments, particularly in the United States, to address concerns about the safety of its platforms. Earlier this year, U.S. lawmakers accused Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other social media leaders of failing to protect children from sexual predation threats. The U.S. Surgeon General has also called for warning labels on social media apps to remind users of these dangers.