Meta removes 3.7m accounts in crackdown on West African scam networks

By Ogundele Eniola

Meta has removed more than 3.7 million accounts, pages and groups from Facebook and Instagram in a coordinated international operation targeting online scam networks operating across West Africa.

The operation, announced by Meta on Tuesday, October 13, involved 14 other technology companies and law enforcement agencies from 10 countries, according to the company.

The crackdown also led to the identification of more than 30 suspected scam centres, while authorities confirmed the arrest of 28 individuals and the rescue of 117 people who had allegedly been trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.

The operation was coordinated by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA), in partnership with the United States Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other international agencies.

According to Meta, most of the accounts, pages and groups removed appeared to target people in the United States and the United Kingdom through profiles impersonating American and British users.

The fraudulent activities included cryptocurrency investment scams, fake job offers, romance scams, impersonation of law enforcement and military personnel, and fraudulent online sales.

Meta said the operation enabled participating organisations to share intelligence across digital platforms, national borders and financial systems to identify and disrupt criminal networks.

The investigation also uncovered cases of human trafficking linked to scam operations in Ghana. Meta reported that the 117 rescued individuals had been held against their will in a residential compound, where they were subjected to malnutrition and physical and psychological abuse.

Beyond the account removals, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase identified more than 65 active scam victims and prevented potential financial losses exceeding $415,000, according to Meta’s announcement.

Other technology companies involved included Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Starlink and Adobe. Microsoft also suspended accounts suspected of being associated with the fraudulent activities.

The operation began on October 6, when the NCA convened technology companies and law enforcement partners in London to exchange intelligence and coordinate action against criminal networks operating across West Africa and targeting victims internationally.

The United States Department of Justice said the operation also helped identify more than $11 million in potentially recoverable or freezeable funds through information supplied by private-sector partners.

The crackdown highlights the growing international effort to combat online fraud, which increasingly involves organised networks using social media platforms, digital payment systems and deceptive online identities to exploit victims across national borders.

However, the removal of fraudulent accounts represents only one part of the response. Authorities and technology companies will still need to pursue the individuals behind the networks, protect potential victims and prevent criminal groups from rebuilding their operations.

Meta said cooperation between technology companies and law enforcement would remain important in disrupting scam networks and improving online safety.