Meta, the owner of Instagram, has taken a stand against sextortion schemes targeting users in Nigeria by removing thousands of accounts involved in such criminal activities. These scammers often pose as young women online to deceive individuals into sending sexually explicit material, only to later blackmail them. The consequences of falling victim to these schemes can be devastating, with some individuals tragically taking their own lives due to the stress, stigma, and shame associated with being scammed.
In a blog post on Wednesday, Meta revealed that it had eliminated approximately 63,000 accounts attempting to engage in sextortion scams. The company also shut down 5,700 Facebook groups where scammers were sharing tips on how to carry out these fraudulent activities. Describing financial sextortion as a “horrific crime” with severe repercussions, Meta emphasized the importance of combating such behavior.
Experts and authorities have been warning social media users about the dangers of sextortion scams, which have been on the rise. Tragically, cases like that of 16-year-old Murray Dowey from Dunblane, who took his own life after being targeted by criminals, highlight the urgent need to address this issue. Additionally, the BBC uncovered guides on sextortion being sold on social media platforms, further underscoring the prevalence of these crimes.
Meta’s efforts to combat sextortion include using various technologies to identify and disrupt accounts engaged in such activities. By automatically blurring nude images sent in messages and providing users with options to block and report suspicious accounts, Meta aims to protect its users from falling victim to sextortion schemes. The company has also implemented new tools to prevent potential sextortion attempts, such as removing the “message” button on teen profiles for accounts suspected of engaging in such behavior.
The accounts targeted by Meta were linked to a larger network of cybercriminals in Nigeria known as “Yahoo Boys,” who are banned from using the platform for their illicit activities. By taking a strong stance against sextortion and implementing proactive measures to safeguard users, Meta is sending a clear message that such criminal behavior will not be tolerated on its platforms.
