Meta Removes 3.7 Million Accounts in Major West African Fraud Crackdown

Meta has removed more than 3.7 million accounts, pages and groups from Facebook and Instagram as part of a major international operation targeting online fraud networks operating in West Africa and targeting victims in the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries.

The coordinated crackdown, announced on October 13, 2026, brought together major technology companies and law enforcement agencies from several countries to disrupt criminal networks involved in online scams.

According to announcements by Meta and the United States Department of Justice, the operation targeted suspected scam centres and associated digital infrastructure in West African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria. Microsoft and other technology companies also took action against suspected fraudulent activity.

The operation involved cooperation between the UK’s National Crime Agency, the FBI, the US Department of Justice and other law enforcement partners, alongside private-sector technology and financial intelligence firms.

Arrests and Victims Rescued

Authorities reported that 28 individuals had been arrested and 117 people who had been trafficked and held at scam centres were rescued. The rescued individuals were found in Ghana, where investigators said criminal groups had forced victims to work in scam operations.

The operation also generated investigative leads concerning more than 30 suspected scam centres. Information shared among participating companies and law enforcement agencies is expected to support further investigations into the networks and the people directing them.

The findings highlight the complex nature of organised online fraud, in which people forced to carry out scams may themselves be victims of trafficking and coercion.

Different Types of Online Fraud Identified

Investigators identified several forms of suspected fraud linked to the networks, including fraudulent investment schemes, cryptocurrency scams, fake job and task offers, romance scams and schemes involving individuals impersonating police officers, government officials or military personnel.

In some cases, fraudsters reportedly created false online identities to establish trust with their targets before persuading them to transfer money. Other schemes involved fake online shops, goods that were never delivered and offers to recover money previously lost to scams.

These tactics can exploit victims’ trust, financial pressures and desire for investment opportunities or employment.

Technology Companies and Police Coordinate Efforts

The operation, which began during the week of October 6, involved the exchange of intelligence across digital platforms, financial systems and national borders.

Participating companies used information gathered through their own investigations and information shared by law enforcement agencies to identify suspected accounts and related criminal infrastructure. Meta said the removal of more than 3.7 million accounts, pages and groups was part of a broader effort to disrupt the networks rather than simply remove individual pieces of content.

The US Department of Justice also reported that private-sector partners identified more than US$11 million in funds that could potentially be frozen. Cryptocurrency-related intelligence and other financial leads were among the information generated during the operation.

Implications for Ghana and West Africa

The crackdown places renewed attention on the regional impact of organised online fraud. Although victims may live thousands of kilometres from the people running the schemes, the activities can damage public confidence in digital services, expose individuals to substantial financial losses and create serious risks for people recruited or trafficked into scam centres.

For Ghana, the reported rescue of 117 trafficked individuals also underscores the importance of distinguishing between people organising criminal operations and those allegedly forced to participate in them.

Authorities and technology companies face the continuing challenge of identifying networks that can move between countries, change accounts quickly and exploit legitimate communication and payment services.

Public Advised to Remain Vigilant

Users are encouraged to be cautious about unsolicited investment offers, online relationships that quickly lead to requests for money, job opportunities requiring upfront payments and messages from people claiming to represent law enforcement agencies.

People should verify investment firms and recruiters independently, avoid sharing financial credentials and report suspicious accounts through the relevant platform. Anyone who suspects they have been defrauded should contact their financial institution and appropriate law enforcement authorities as soon as possible.

The latest operation demonstrates the scale of international cooperation required to disrupt online fraud. However, the removal of millions of accounts does not mean the threat has disappeared, and continued coordination, victim support and public awareness will remain essential.

Sources: Meta Newsroom and the US Department of Justice, October 13, 2026.