Meta just dropped a bombshell: they’ve deleted 63,000 Instagram accounts in Nigeria because of a huge sextortion scam. Turns out, these accounts were part of a shady syndicate. Out of these, around 2,500 accounts were linked to about 20 people, all working together.
They figured this out through some new tech signals and serious investigation work. This helped Meta not only delete these accounts but also understand the scammers’ tricks better.
How These Sextortion Scammers Work
So, these sextortion scammers mostly target adult men in the U.S., using fake accounts to stay hidden. But they don’t stop there – some of their schemes also go after minors.
The accounts busted for sextortion got reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Plus, Meta shared info with other tech companies through a program called Lantern from the Tech Coalition.
Besides Instagram, Meta also wiped out about 7,200 other shady assets in Nigeria. This included 1,300 Facebook accounts, 200 Facebook Pages, and 5,700 Facebook Groups, all of which were giving tips on how to scam people.
Since they started this cleanup, Meta’s systems have been blocking these groups’ attempts to bounce back. They’re also using new strategies to spot and stop scams before they get going.
Meta is also looking out for teenagers, helping them spot and avoid these scams by tightening messaging settings for users under 16 (or under 18 in some places). They’re sending out safety tips too.
Meta Tests New Features to Block Nude Content
Meta is trying out a new feature to block nude content in Instagram DMs. This feature will blur any nude images it finds and give users safety advice. It’s especially aimed at stopping under-18 users from uploading sexual content.
Meta also has a tool called “Take It Down” to help people get rid of any nude, semi-nude, or sexually explicit photos or videos online. This tool finds and removes the content without leaving any trace on the user’s device.
