150,000 Scam Accounts Linked to Fake Crypto and Romance Schemes Removed by Meta

A large-scale international enforcement operation has resulted in the removal of more than 150,000 scam-linked accounts from Facebook and Instagram, highlighting the growing global effort to disrupt organised online fraud networks operating across Southeast Asia.

The mass takedown was carried out by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, in coordination with law enforcement agencies from Singapore, Thailand and the United States. The action formed part of a joint initiative aimed at dismantling scam networks responsible for investment fraud, impersonation schemes and romance scams targeting victims worldwide.

Authorities confirmed that around 4,900 accounts were removed with direct intelligence support from the Singapore Police Force (SPF), which worked closely with Meta to identify suspicious activity connected to organised scam operations.

Joint Operation Targets Cross-Border Scam Networks

The crackdown was conducted during a coordinated campaign known as Joint Disruption Week, which took place in Bangkok and involved multiple international agencies.

The operation was led by the Royal Thai Police Anti-Cyber Scam Center, alongside the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Department of Justice Scam Center Strike Force.

During a press conference on 11 March 2026, Meta confirmed that the Royal Thai Police had arrested 21 individuals suspected of involvement in criminal scam activities linked to these networks.

The enforcement action represents the second major coordinated crackdown in recent months. A previous operation in December 2025 resulted in the removal of approximately 59,000 scam-linked accounts, pages and groups, and led to the issuance of six arrest warrants.

Officials say the repeated operations demonstrate a growing international commitment to tackling organised cybercrime that often operates across multiple jurisdictions.

Mandarin-Speaking Communities Among Primary Targets

Alongside the enforcement announcement, Meta released its Adversarial Threat Report for the first half of 2026, which sheds light on the tactics used by scam syndicates operating in the region.

According to the report, Mandarin-speaking audiences in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore remain among the most frequent targets of these fraud networks.

Meta explained that criminals often focus on markets with higher average wealth, where potential financial returns from scams are greater. At the same time, many scam compounds recruit workers who can communicate in widely spoken regional languages, allowing them to interact more convincingly with victims.

Three Major Scam Tactics Identified

David Agranovich, Metas director of global threat disruption, outlined three major fraud tactics identified during the investigation.

One method involves impersonating law enforcement officials, where scammers contact victims while posing as government authorities in order to intimidate them into transferring money.

Another increasingly common scheme is known as a digital arrest scam. In these cases, criminals conduct fake video calls while claiming to represent government agencies. Victims are falsely told they are under investigation and pressured to transfer funds as part of a fabricated legal process.

The third category involves cryptocurrency investment scams, which often begin with scammers forming false romantic or professional relationships with their targets before persuading them to invest in fraudulent trading platforms.

These tactics are widely used in “pig-butchering” scams, where criminals gradually build trust with victims before convincing them to deposit increasingly large amounts of money.

Scam Networks Adapting Rapidly

Daryl Poon, Metas director of law enforcement for the Asia-Pacific region, noted that scam networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and agile.

According to his assessment, these criminal groups frequently operate across national borders and quickly shift their activities between different online platforms in order to avoid detection.

Officials from law enforcement agencies also emphasised that stronger cooperation between technology companies and investigators has become essential in combating such crimes.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Gregory Kang of the Singapore Police Forces cybercrime division highlighted the importance of proactive intelligence sharing between authorities and digital platforms. In his view, collaboration is critical for identifying the infrastructure that supports large-scale scam operations.

Police Lieutenant General Jirabhop Bhuridej of the Royal Thai Police also stressed that these criminal syndicates cause significant economic damage and harm to victims. He stated that joint enforcement actions send a clear signal that authorities are committed to suppressing online fraud.

New Security Tools to Protect Users

In addition to removing scam accounts, Meta has announced a series of new security features designed to help users detect and avoid fraudulent activity.

On Facebook, users will begin receiving alerts when incoming contact requests originate from accounts showing suspicious behaviour patterns.

WhatsApp will introduce warnings when a device-linking request appears unusual. The feature is intended to prevent scammers from tricking users into scanning QR codes or sharing verification codes that would allow criminals to access their accounts.

Meanwhile, Messenger will expand its artificial intelligence-powered scam detection system. When a conversation with a new contact matches known scam patterns, such as fraudulent job offers, the platform will trigger a security review.

If the system detects possible fraud, users will receive guidance explaining common scam tactics and suggestions for immediate protective actions, including blocking or reporting the account.