WhatsApp users are no strangers to cyber threats, with the app's global popularity making it a prime target for online fraudsters. The notorious "Hi mum" scam has resulted in hundreds of thousands of pounds being swindled from victims in the UK alone.

WhatsApp has removed 6.8 million scam-linked accounts in a global crackdown, Meta announced. New WhatsApp safety tools are rolling out, including alerts when unknown users add someone to a group. Scams are growing more complex, often using multiple platforms and AI tools to trick users.

WhatsApp says it has taken down 6.8 million accounts linked to scammers targeting people around the world in the first half of this year. Many were tied to scam centres run by organised criminals in South East Asia, who often used forced labour in their operations, the Meta-owned messaging platform says.