Meta removes 3.7 million accounts in West Africa scam crackdown, 117 victims rescued

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has removed more than 3.7 million Facebook and Instagram accounts, pages and groups linked to suspected scam networks operating in West Africa. The joint operation led to 28 arrests, identified more than 30 suspected scam centres and rescued 117 people allegedly trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.

The company announced the crackdown in a statement on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. It involved 14 technology companies and law enforcement agencies from 10 countries.

NCA, FBI and DOJ coordinate action

The United Kingdom's National Crime Agency coordinated the operation with the US Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies. Nigerian authorities were involved. Other countries included Ghana, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India.

Tech companies that took part included Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Coinbase, Starlink and Adobe. Meta said the partnership let participants share intelligence across digital platforms, countries and financial systems to identify criminal networks.

Microsoft, Coinbase act on accounts and losses

Microsoft suspended accounts suspected of involvement in the fraudulent activities. Coinbase identified more than 65 active scam victims and helped prevent potential losses exceeding $415,000, according to Meta.

Most of the accounts, pages and groups removed by Meta targeted people in the United States and the United Kingdom. Some profiles impersonated American and British users.

The networks used cryptocurrency investment fraud, fake job offers, romance scams and fraudulent online sales. Other methods included criminals impersonating law enforcement officers and military personnel. Authorities also targeted scam recovery schemes, where fraudsters demand upfront payments from people they promise to help recover money lost to previous scams.

Human cost of online fraud

The operation exposed the human cost of organised online fraud. The 117 rescued individuals were reportedly held against their will in a residential compound in Ghana. Meta said the victims suffered malnutrition and physical and psychological abuse while being forced to participate in fraudulent activities.

Chris Sonderby, Meta's vice-president and deputy general counsel, said cooperation between technology companies and law enforcement was essential to disrupting organised fraud. He said the company would continue working with partners to pursue scammers and dismantle their operations.

Nick Sharp, the NCA's deputy director of fraud, said the collaboration helped authorities target criminals responsible for fraud affecting thousands of victims. He added that the agency would continue working with international and private-sector partners to combat cross-border fraud.

For Nigerian consumers and businesses, the crackdown highlights the risk that social media, crypto platforms and fake job offers can be used to move fraud across borders. It also shows that payment and crypto platforms are now part of the frontline response to organised scams.