Meta has been working with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to takedown a suspected major scam centre that has been targeting British web users.
The suspected centre, based in Nigeria, has been said to be the operational core of a sophisticated online fraud network.
It has been said to use fake social media accounts impersonating cryptocurrency traders along with fraudulent Facebook groups featuring fabricated testimonials to target individuals engaging with investment platforms.
Meta has been working with both the NCA and the Nigerian Police Force to identify and remove the accounts that have been found to be in violation of the law as part of the operations.
Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime.
“This action marks a significant step in our collective fight against fraudsters operating overseas, and will help in our mission to protect the public in the UK from serious and organised criminals,” said Nick Sharp, deputy director of fraud at the NCA.
“Fraudsters can operate from anywhere and will target victims both domestically and globally. The NCA will continue to work with international and private sector partners to tackle fraudsters working upstream, overseas and online.”
Meta platforms have been found, according to numerous pieces of research from the likes of Revolut and Gen, to host the vast majority of online scams.
“Scams are driven by persistent criminals and sophisticated, organised crime syndicates constantly evolving their operations to evade detection,” said Nathaniel Gleicher, global head of counter fraud for Meta.
“We are focused on rooting them out, working with law enforcement, governments, and peers to protect people from these schemes. This takedown demonstrates the real impact that this cooperation can have and the importance of a ‘whole-of-society’ approach.”
The post Meta partners with UK law enforcement to target major scam operation appeared first on UKTN.
