Meta Disables 150K Accounts Linked to Southeast Asian Scam Centers
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Meta has disabled over 150,000 accounts linked to scam centers in Southeast Asia, in collaboration with authorities from multiple countries. This action follows a pilot initiative in December 2025 and includes new tools to detect and prevent scams. The U.K. government has also launched an Online Crime Centre to combat cybercrime, including scam operations across various regions. The coordinated effort resulted in 21 arrests by the Royal Thai Police. Meta highlighted the sophistication and industrialization of online scams, which often operate as full-scale business operations in countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. The company introduced new tools to warn users about suspicious activities on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger. In 2025, Meta removed 159 million scam ads and 10.9 million accounts associated with criminal scam centers. The U.K.'s new Online Crime Centre aims to disrupt scam operations using AI and specialized teams.
Timeline
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11.03.2026 15:15 1 articles · 4h ago
Meta Disables 150K Accounts Linked to Southeast Asian Scam Centers
Meta disabled over 150,000 accounts linked to scam centers in Southeast Asia, resulting in 21 arrests by the Royal Thai Police. The company introduced new tools to detect and warn users about suspicious activities on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The U.K. government launched an Online Crime Centre to combat cybercrime, including scam operations across various regions.
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- Meta Disables 150K Accounts Linked to Southeast Asia Scam Centers in Global Crackdown — thehackernews.com — 11.03.2026 15:15
Information Snippets
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Meta disabled over 150,000 accounts linked to scam centers in Southeast Asia.
First reported: 11.03.2026 15:151 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Meta Disables 150K Accounts Linked to Southeast Asia Scam Centers in Global Crackdown — thehackernews.com — 11.03.2026 15:15
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21 arrests were made by the Royal Thai Police as part of the coordinated effort.
First reported: 11.03.2026 15:151 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Meta Disables 150K Accounts Linked to Southeast Asia Scam Centers in Global Crackdown — thehackernews.com — 11.03.2026 15:15
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Meta introduced new tools to detect and warn users about suspicious activities on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
First reported: 11.03.2026 15:151 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Meta Disables 150K Accounts Linked to Southeast Asia Scam Centers in Global Crackdown — thehackernews.com — 11.03.2026 15:15
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The U.K. government launched an Online Crime Centre to combat cybercrime, including scam operations.
First reported: 11.03.2026 15:151 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Meta Disables 150K Accounts Linked to Southeast Asia Scam Centers in Global Crackdown — thehackernews.com — 11.03.2026 15:15
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Meta removed 159 million scam ads and 10.9 million accounts in 2025.
First reported: 11.03.2026 15:151 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Meta Disables 150K Accounts Linked to Southeast Asia Scam Centers in Global Crackdown — thehackernews.com — 11.03.2026 15:15
Similar Happenings
Meta Enhances Scam Protection for Messenger and WhatsApp
Meta has introduced new tools to protect users of Messenger and WhatsApp from scams. The tools include warnings for screen sharing during video calls on WhatsApp, a scam detection feature on Messenger, and a new security feature to help users spot potential scams when being added to a group chat by unknown contacts. Meta also reported actions taken against fraudulent accounts and scam centers. Meta's efforts are part of ongoing measures to combat scams, including romance baiting schemes operated by cybercrime syndicates in Southeast Asia. These scams often involve psychological manipulation and financial fraud. In 2025, Meta removed over 159 million scam ads and took down over 10.9 million accounts on Facebook and Instagram linked to criminal scam operations. Meta also participated in a global law enforcement operation that led to the arrest of 21 suspects and the shutdown of more than 150,000 accounts linked to scam networks in Southeast Asia.