Meta announced on Wednesday that it has removed approximately 63,000 Instagram accounts in Nigeria engaged in financial sextortion scams primarily targeting adult men in the United States. In addition to Instagram, Meta also took down 7,200 Facebook assets, including accounts, pages, and groups that provided tips on scamming people.
“Yahoo Boys” Network
The removed accounts were linked to a cybercrime group known as “Yahoo Boys,” notorious for various online scams. This network included a coordinated effort involving around 2,500 accounts tied to a group of about 20 individuals. These scammers often used fake accounts to mask their identities and lure victims with promises of romantic interest, only to later threaten to release compromising photos if a ransom was not paid.
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Sextortion and Its Devastating Impact
Sextortion, a form of online blackmail, involves threatening to release explicit photos or videos unless the victim pays a ransom. While most of these scams targeted adults, there were also attempts to exploit minors, which Meta reported to the U.S. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This form of cybercrime can have severe psychological impacts, sometimes leading to tragic outcomes such as suicide.
Efforts to Combat Online Scams
Meta’s actions are part of a broader strategy to combat online fraud and protect users. The company has implemented measures to identify and remove accounts engaging in sextortion. These include new methods for detecting suspicious activity and improving safety features to help users avoid being scammed. For instance, Meta has introduced nudity protection features in direct messages and stricter messaging settings for teen users to block unwanted contacts.
Collaboration with Law Enforcement
Meta’s efforts are complemented by international law enforcement actions. INTERPOL recently conducted Operation Jackal III, targeting West African organized crime groups like Black Axe. This operation resulted in over 300 arrests and the seizure of $3 million in illegal assets. These coordinated efforts aim to dismantle transnational cybercrime syndicates involved in various illegal activities, including sextortion, human trafficking, and drug smuggling.
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The crackdown on sextortion scams is part of a larger battle against online exploitation. Meta has faced significant pressure from governments and advocacy groups to improve its safety measures and protect vulnerable users, particularly minors. U.S. lawmakers have criticized social media executives, accusing them of failing to safeguard children from online predators. The U.S. Surgeon General has even called for warning labels on social media apps to highlight the potential harms.