Meta Platforms recently disclosed the removal of around 63,000 accounts in Nigeria involved in financial sexual extortion scams targeting adult men in the United States. These accounts, primarily on Instagram, were associated with Nigerian online fraudsters, commonly known as “Yahoo boys.” Additionally, 7,200 Facebook accounts, pages, and groups promoting scamming tips were also taken down.
Moreover, Meta dismantled a smaller network of 2,500 accounts linked to a group of 20 individuals engaging in sextortion, a form of extortion involving compromising photos. While most scam attempts were unsuccessful, some minors were also targeted, prompting Meta to report the incidents to the U.S. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
This operation highlights Meta’s ongoing efforts to combat online exploitation. The company has faced scrutiny for its role in safeguarding users, particularly children, against harmful content. With increasing pressure from governments, Meta continues to address concerns regarding its platform’s impact on vulnerable populations.
As online scams persist in Nigeria, exacerbated by economic challenges, Meta’s actions underline the importance of awareness and prevention in mitigating such fraudulent activities online.
Source: © Thomson Reuters 2024.
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