Meta’s New WhatsApp Features Combat Rising Group Chat Scams

Meta is waging an intense campaign against organized scam networks in Southeast Asia, where dozens of fraudulent schemes operate in parallel. In just the first half of the year, more than 6.8 million WhatsApp accounts linked to such operations were removed. At the same time, the platform is introducing new security features aimed at strengthening user protection.

One of the most frequently exploited loopholes remains the ability to invite any user into a group chat simply by knowing their phone number. Enabled by default, this feature is heavily abused in cryptocurrency scams, Ponzi schemes, and other forms of fraud. Criminals obtain phone numbers through data leaks or purchase them on underground forums.

As explained in the service’s support documentation, WhatsApp allows anyone who has your phone number to send you a message or add you to a group chat—much like SMS or email. By default, group privacy settings are set to “Everyone,” and users must change them manually if they wish to restrict access.

While the core group-invitation policy remains unchanged, invitations from unknown senders will now trigger a special notification. This will display a brief summary of the group along with safety recommendations. Users will be able to leave the chat without opening it or preview its contents before deciding whether to join.

Additionally, notifications from all new groups will be muted by default until the user chooses to remain in the chat. This measure is designed to prevent victims from being drawn into fraudulent conversations before they have a chance to assess the situation.

Meta is also testing extra safeguards for one-on-one conversations. When receiving the first message from an unfamiliar contact, WhatsApp will display a warning with context about who is writing and for what purpose, allowing the recipient to make an informed decision before replying.

Some accounts were neutralized before they could even be used in attacks. With over 3 billion monthly active users, WhatsApp remains a prime target for cybercriminals.

In one recent case, Meta, working with OpenAI, dismantled a scam network operating out of Cambodia. The perpetrators used ChatGPT to craft enticing messages, lured victims into WhatsApp chats, and then redirected them to Telegram, where they offered paid “tasks,” such as liking TikTok videos. Victims were later told they needed to deposit funds into a cryptocurrency account to “unlock” their earnings.

The schemes ranged from fake job offers to scooter rental scams and “investments” in dubious tokens—but all shared the same goal: convincing individuals to transfer real money into the hands of fraudsters.

Users who wish to avoid invitations from unknown people are advised to manually adjust their privacy settings by navigating to Settings → Privacy → Groups and selecting My Contacts or another restrictive option.