Meta has announced new scam detection tools for Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp aimed at warning users about suspicious activity before they interact with it.
“Every day, criminals use increasingly sophisticated measures to defraud people on our platforms and across the internet,” the company said in its announcement. “That’s why we’re announcing new investments in advanced AI, tools for people to spot and avoid scammers, and partnerships with law enforcement and industry peers for offline enforcement.”
The updates are designed to flag potential scams earlier, such as suspicious friend requests or unusual device-linking attempts.
One of the clearest examples involves device linking on WhatsApp. Normally, linking a device lets people access their WhatsApp account from another computer or phone. But scammers have found ways to manipulate that feature.
Meta says attackers sometimes trick victims into sharing the linking code or scanning a QR code under false pretences. In one example shared by the company, scammers pretend to run online contests.
“For example, they may pose as a talent competition asking you to cast your vote by going to a website and entering your phone number, followed by a device linking code on your WhatsApp,” Meta explained. “They may also try to trick you into scanning a QR code under false pretences, which would then link the scammer’s device to your account.”
The new system looks for behavioural signals that suggest something unusual is happening during the linking process. If those signals appear, with this new tools WhatsApp will warn the user and show where the request is coming from, giving them time to reconsider before approving it.
Similar thinking is now being applied to Facebook friend requests. The platform is testing alerts that appear when an account displays suspicious signals, such as having very few mutual friends or listing a location that does not match the user’s typical network.
In those cases, Facebook will prompt the user to take a closer look before accepting the request.
The company says its AI systems analyse text, images, and surrounding context to detect patterns linked to scams, including fake celebrity endorsements and links that lead to look-alike websites designed to steal information.
“Our global work to protect people against scammers is never done,” Meta said. “We will continue to invest in new technologies, share updates on our progress on enforcement, and collaborate with partners to ensure a safer experience for everyone across our platforms.”
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
