WhatsApp has removed 6.8 million scam-linked accounts in a global crackdown, Meta announced. New WhatsApp safety tools are rolling out, including alerts when unknown users add someone to a group. Scams are growing more complex, often using multiple platforms and AI tools to trick users.

NEW YORK (AP) — WhatsApp has taken down 6.8 million accounts that were “linked to criminal scam centers” targeting people online around that world, its parent company Meta said this week.

Many of the accounts were linked to criminal groups operating in South East Asia, the social media giant said.