In an effort to prevent illegal conduct on its platforms, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said Thursday that it has removed almost 1,600 Facebook groups and accounts associated with the infamous “Yahoo Boys” scam network.
Meta stressed in a statement that it is dedicated to combating sextortion and online fraud that target young people. Following a similar action in July that shut down 7,200 connected Facebook assets, the crackdown comes now.
The “Yahoo Boys” network is prohibited by Meta’s Dangerous Organisations and Individuals policy because of its reputation for participating in coordinated schemes. Meta ensured that accounts involved in such illegal activity are promptly deleted.
Targeting scam organisations, Meta also started a new Instagram campaign to spread the word about sextortion, a crime in which con artists threaten to release private photos of teenagers and young adults unless they are paid.
The business is implementing new security measures to stop these frauds and safeguard its customers, particularly children. In order to help parents help their kids navigate internet dangers, Meta has also partnered with Larry Magid of ConnectSafely to create teaching materials.
These steps show how committed Meta is to protecting its platforms and helping families and teenagers avoid cybercrime.
