Meta announced that it has removed more than 3.7 million accounts, pages, and groups from Facebook and Instagram during a
Meta announced that it has removed more than 3.7 million accounts, pages, and groups from Facebook and Instagram during a joint operation targeting transnational scam networks operating in West Africa.
In a web post on Tuesday, Meta stated that the operation involved 14 other technology companies and law enforcement agencies across 10 countries. The initiative was coordinated by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) in partnership with the US Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and international partners.
Authorities identified more than 30 suspected scam centres, confirming the arrest of 28 individuals and the rescue of 117 people. The victims had been trafficked and forced to work in fraudulent residential compounds in Ghana, where they suffered malnutrition alongside physical and psychological abuse.
Meta reported that the dismantled accounts primarily targeted users in the US and the UK using profiles impersonating British and American citizens. Microsoft also suspended accounts linked to these fraudulent activities.
Meanwhile, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase identified more than 65 active victims and prevented potential financial losses exceeding $415,000. The broad coalition included technology leaders Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Coinbase, Starlink, and Adobe, alongside law enforcement bodies from Nigeria, Ghana, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and India.
Meta explained that the cross-platform collaboration allowed participants to share vital intelligence across jurisdictions and financial systems to disrupt criminal syndicates.
The targeted fraud schemes included cryptocurrency investment scams, fake job offers, romance fraud, military and law enforcement impersonation, and fraudulent online sales. The networks also operated scam recovery schemes, targeting previous victims with false promises to recover stolen funds for upfront payments.
Chris Sonderby, Meta’s Vice-President and Deputy General Counsel, said the operation underscored the vital importance of cooperation between technology companies and law enforcement. He affirmed that the company would continue working with partners to pursue cybercriminals across borders.
Nick Sharp, NCA Deputy Director of Fraud, noted that the coordinated effort helped authorities target criminals responsible for widespread financial harm. “Tech companies play a pivotal role in disrupting scam operations. But meaningful progress ultimately depends on real consequences for the criminal organisations behind these schemes,” the statement concluded.
Athekame Kenneth is a politics, economy, and finance reporter whose work is anchored in sharp investigative storytelling. He brings analytical depth to every piece, drawing on a strong academic foundation that includes a degree in Economics, an MBA in International Trade, and a minor in Petroleum Economics from Lagos State University, Ojo. His reporting blends rigorous research with a keen eye for hidden truths, delivering stories that illuminate power, policy, and the forces shaping everyday lives.