Meta on Tuesday introduced new fraud detection features to its messaging apps WhatsApp and Messenger as part of a broader effort to crack down on online scams targeting seniors. The company announced that WhatsApp will start showing warnings when users try to share their screen during a call, and Messenger will flag potentially fraudulent messages so they can be sent to AI for review.
The tech giant said it detected and blocked approximately 8 million accounts involved in fraudulent activity in the first half of 2025, including accounts associated with fraud centers in regions such as Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines. We also took action against more than 21,000 Facebook pages and accounts masquerading as customer support operations to trick people into sharing information.
The latter is so prevalent on the platform that many page operators have learned to essentially ignore anything that claims to be a customer support message. Meanwhile, scam syndicates are targeting seniors across a variety of industries, including social media as well as messaging apps, dating apps, cryptocurrencies, and more.
WhatsApp now displays a warning when you try to share your screen with unknown contacts during a video call. Mehta said this technique is often used to trick victims into divulging sensitive information such as bank account information or verification codes.
Meanwhile, on Messenger, the company is testing more advanced fraud detection technology to analyze whether incoming messages are suspicious. If so, it will indicate that signs of fraud have been detected and warn you: “Be careful as you risk losing your money.”
This screen also lists a variety of common scam techniques, such as offers to work from home or make easy cash, and offers to block or report suspicious accounts.
My own family has been victims of this type of fraud, and it is safe to say that these issues not only affect the individual being taken advantage of, but can have a broader impact. Family members often have to be involved, leaving the victim confused and desperate, believing the scam is an opportunity for something.
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Scammers often use social engineering techniques or romantic attraction to lure victims who are not online savvy or who may be suffering from early dementia. They also often target people who are lonely and appreciate attention. Scammers take advantage of these factors to squeeze seniors out of their savings.
Meta should have addressed these concerns more on its platform, especially considering how easy it is to add warnings and alerts to the app’s user experience. While they may not have access to more sophisticated AI technology to consider potential fraud, informational alerts could have alleviated some previous cases of elder abuse.
The company responded that it had, in fact, added other context cards, reminders, and alerts about shipping fraud and instant payments, as well as a WhatsApp Safety Center. It issued a warning about Valentine’s Day romance scams along with a safety notice. However, these were not specifically targeted at older adults.
The tech giant also announced that it will join the National Elderly Fraud Coordination Center, a new nonprofit that will partner law enforcement with companies like AARP, Amazon, Capital One, Google, Microsoft, and Walmart to combat fraud targeting seniors.
Updated details about previous meta warnings and actions.
