Meta Launches New Anti-Scam Tools, Device Linking Warning On WhatsApp To Fight Scammers And Protect People

Meta announced new anti-scam features across WhatsApp, Facebook and Messenger built to alert people before engaging with something suspicious and protect them from fraudulent activity. The new anti-scam tools include device linking warnings on WhatsApp, alerts for suspicious friend requests on Facebook and an expanded rollout of advanced scam detection on Messenger.

1. WhatsApp device linking warning: WhatsApp will now alert users when behavioral signals suggest a linking request might be suspicious. Scammers often attempt to trick people into linking their WhatsApp account to another device or scanning QR codes. These alerts will show users where the request is coming from and display a clear warning that it may be a scam, giving people the chance to pause and reconsider before it happens.

2. Facebook alerts for suspicious friend requests: Meta is testing new warnings on Facebook that will appear when you send or receive a request from an account that shows certain signs of suspicious activity, including when you do not have many mutual friends with them or they indicate a different country location in their profile. The alert will help people make informed decisions before blocking or rejecting suspicious requests.

3. Expanding advanced scam detection on Messenger: When conversations show patterns associated with common scams, such as fraudulent job offers, people will receive a warning and have the option to submit messages for AI review. If flagged as a scam, people will be guided on steps to block or report the suspicious account.

In addition to the product updates, Meta continues to aggressively combat scam activity to protect people and businesses. Last year alone, Meta removed over 159 million scam ads, 92% of which were taken down before anyone reported them. In India in 2025, the company banned more than 12.1 million pieces of ad content for violating its policies against Fraud, Scam, and Deceptive Practices, out of which over 93% were removed proactively.

Fighting scams requires more than technology and enforcement. It requires education and raising awareness, especially for vulnerable populations. Earlier this year, Meta launched the third edition of its flagship anti-scam ‘Scam Se Bacho’ in partnership with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The year-long campaign featured acclaimed Indian actor Neena Gupta and leading digital creators to help people identify and avoid online scams.