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Meta on Wednesday launched new scam detection tools across Facebook, WhatsApp and Messenger aimed at warning users before they interact with suspicious accounts or messages.
The company said the features are designed to flag potentially fraudulent activity earlier, as scammers usually try to evade detection by initially behaving like normal users before launching attacks.
Facebook to warn users about suspicious friend requests
Meta said it is testing alerts on Facebook that warn users about suspicious friend requests.
Under the new system, users sending or receiving a request from an account showing unusual behaviour, such as having very few mutual friends or listing a location in a different country, will see a notification encouraging them to review the request carefully before accepting it.
The alert is meant to help users decide whether to proceed with the request, reject it, or block the account.
WhatsApp introduces device-linking scam warnings
On WhatsApp, Meta is rolling out new alerts to stop scammers from tricking users into linking their accounts to a fraudster’s device.
According to the company, scammers sometimes impersonate talent competitions or other promotions and ask users to vote on a website by entering their phone number. Victims are then prompted to provide a device-linking code sent to their WhatsApp account.
In other cases, users may be persuaded to scan a QR code that secretly links their WhatsApp account to a scammer’s device.
“To stay ahead of these tactics, WhatsApp will now alert you when behavioural signals suggest a linking request might be suspicious,” Meta said in a blog post.
The warning will show where the request originated and notify users that it could be a scam before the account is linked.
Messenger expands AI-powered scam detection
Meta is also expanding its advanced scam detection system on Messenger to more countries this month, although the company did not specify which markets will be included.
The tool uses artificial intelligence to analyse patterns commonly associated with scams, including suspicious job offers and other fraudulent messages sent by unknown contacts.Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence
If the system detects a potential scam, Messenger will warn the user and ask whether they want to share recent chat messages for an AI review. When a scam is confirmed, the platform will recommend blocking or reporting the account and provide information about common online fraud tactics.
The company also shut down 10.9 million Facebook and Instagram accounts linked to criminal scam detection.
Under the new system, users sending or receiving a request from an account showing unusual behaviour, such as having very few mutual friends or listing a location in a different country, will see a notification encouraging them to review the request carefully before accepting it.
According to the company, scammers sometimes impersonate talent competitions or other promotions and ask users to vote on a website by entering their phone number. Victims are then prompted to provide a device-linking code sent to their WhatsApp account.
In other cases, users may be persuaded to scan a QR code that secretly links their WhatsApp account to a scammer’s device.
“To stay ahead of these tactics, WhatsApp will now alert you when behavioural signals suggest a linking request might be suspicious,” Meta said in a blog post.
The warning will show where the request originated and notify users that it could be a scam before the account.
Meta steps up enforcement against scam networks
Meta said it removed more than 159 million scam ads in 2025, with 92% taken down before being reported by user.
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