Meta removes 63,000 accounts involved in sextortion scams targeting US men
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Meta Removes Thousands of Instagram Accounts Linked to Sextortion Scams
Meta announced the removal of thousands of Instagram accounts involved in sextortion scams. The company detailed the takedown of 63,000 accounts, including a specific network of 2,500 accounts managed by about 20 individuals. These accounts are affiliated with a cybercriminal group from Nigeria known as Yahoo Boys, which focuses on financial scams.
The primary targets of these scammers were adult men in the United States, but there were also attempts to exploit minors. As a result, Meta reported these incidents to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Sextortion scams typically involve cybercriminals reaching out to numerous social network users, attempting to establish fake romantic relationships. During these interactions, scammers solicit explicit photos or videos from victims, threatening to release these materials if a ransom isn't paid.
Meta's automated systems successfully detected most scam accounts before causing harm, with additional investigative methods used to identify and deactivate the remaining accounts. Meta’s global head of safety emphasized that the company aims to raise awareness about these scams and signal to criminals that their activities are being monitored and obstructed.
Sextortion has increasingly become a significant concern, with the FBI issuing warnings in 2023 and 2024. Notably, two Nigerian men involved in a sextortion case that resulted in the suicide of a 17-year-old from Michigan were extradited to the US to face charges. A third individual is currently challenging an extradition order.
In addition to the Instagram takedowns, Meta also removed 7,200 assets from Facebook. This included 1,300 accounts, 200 pages, and 5,700 groups, all based in Nigeria and dedicated to scam tips, victim scripts, and fake account photos.
To combat these scams, Meta is offering features like on-device nudity protection, which blurs nudity in Instagram direct messages. Users can recognize potential sextortion attempts by spotting unsolicited messages from unfamiliar contacts, especially those requesting or sending images. Meta's technology can identify and notify users about suspicious account behavior, enhancing overall user protection.
