San francisco: WhatsApp banned more than 6.8 million accounts linked to scam operations in the first half of this year, its parent company Meta said in a statement Tuesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Meta reported that the accounts were taken down before many could be used, thanks to investigative insights and enhanced enforcement efforts. Scam centers are known to run multiple schemes simultaneously, such as cryptocurrency fraud and pyramid schemes. A common red flag identified is a request for upfront payment in exchange for promised returns or earnings.

The platform has introduced a safety overview feature for group chats, which becomes visible when a user is added to a group by someone not in their contacts. This overview provides details about the group and safety tips, allowing users the option to exit immediately without viewing the chat. Additionally, group notifications remain silenced until the user decides to stay.

WhatsApp is also in the process of testing alerts for unknown contacts, designed to warn users before they begin a conversation with someone not in their address book. These alerts aim to provide context and encourage caution among users.

Meta noted that scammers often use tactics such as promises of easy money, fake investments, or threats about unpaid bills to lure victims. The company urged users to exercise caution when approached by unknown individuals online, especially those requesting money or personal information.