As part of its efforts to combat online exploitation, Meta has removed tens of thousands of Instagram accounts linked to Nigeria in connection with sextortion scams. Meta disclosed that its algorithms predominantly targeted adult American males, but also inadvertently reached minors in certain circumstances.
Meta has taken significant steps to combat sextortion scams on its platform in recent months, with the latest takedowns being just one part of a broader effort. In January of this year, Instagram incorporated an innovative security feature into its direct messaging system, designed to proactively alert users to suspected blackmail schemes and safeguard their online interactions. The corporation also provides in-app resources and security guidelines to help users avoid falling prey to these types of scams.
According to Meta, the company took down approximately 2,500 accounts linked to a group of around 20 individuals who worked together to carry out sextortion scams. Facebook’s corporate arm took decisive action to tackle the issue, removing hundreds of accounts and teams that disseminated harmful content, including scripts and fake images, designed to aid potential sextortionists. The accounts were linked to the notorious Yahoo Boys, a disparate group of Nigerian-based cybercriminals specializing in various forms of scams, according to Meta.
Meta faces intense criticism for failing to adequately protect teenagers from sextortion on its platforms. During an earlier Senate hearing, Senator Lindsey Graham deliberated on whether parents whose child died by suicide following exploitation by a scam should have legal recourse against the corporation.
Although the corporation stated that most of the scammers it uncovered in its latest takedowns targeted adults, it acknowledged that a significant number of the accounts had also focused on minors, with these accounts being subsequently reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
