Meta Removes 63,000 Instagram Accounts Linked to Sextortion Scams

Meta has removed 63,000 Instagram accounts in Nigeria linked to sextortion scams. 

These accounts were mostly from a group called “Yahoo Boys” who were targeting adult men in the US.

They would pose as young women online, create fake profiles to hide their identities. 

They would then coerce their victims to send explicit images or videos which they would use to blackmail them for money. 

Meta calls sextortion a “horrific crime” that can be very damaging to the victims.

Coordinated Network of 2,500 Accounts

Among the 63,000 Instagram accounts removed, Meta found a smaller network of around 2,500 accounts linked to about 20 individuals. 

These accounts were targeting adult men in the US and using advanced tactics to evade detection.

Additional Assets Removed

Besides the Instagram accounts, Meta also removed 7,200 other assets including 1,300 Facebook accounts, 200 Facebook Pages and 5,700 Facebook Groups all based in Nigeria. 

These assets were used to share tips and guides on how to do sextortion scams and sharing links to collections of photos to populate fake accounts.

Reporting to Authorities

In cases where the scammers targeted minors, Meta reported the accounts to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the US. 

Meta is committed to working with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute these crimes.

Ongoing Fight Against Cybercrime

Meta’s action is part of the company’s broader effort to fight cybercrime and protect its users. 

Meta is investing in new technologies and methods to detect and remove accounts involved in sextortion and other illegal activities.

But Meta knows this is an ongoing fight as criminals are always evolving to evade detection. 

The company will continue to strengthen its systems and work with partners to make its platforms as safe as possible for everyone.

Sextortion on the Rise

The removal of these accounts comes at a time when sextortion is on the rise globally. 

A recent FBI report revealed that between October 2021 and March 2023, a Homeland Security Investigation received 13,000 reports of financial sextortion involving 12,600 minors, mostly boys, in the US alone. 

At least 20 suicides have been linked to these scams.

Read Next: New Report Ranks Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa Among the World’s Top 20 Cybercrime Hotspots

Authorities Take Action

Law enforcement agencies are also taking action against sextortion and other cybercrimes. 

In April 2024, two men were arrested in Nigeria for allegedly extorting an Australian teenager by threatening to release his personal photos if he didn’t pay them 500 Australian dollars.

In a separate operation, INTERPOL conducted a global law enforcement operation called Jackal III which targeted West African organized crime groups like Black Axe. 

The operation resulted in 300 arrests, 400+ suspects identified and 720+ bank accounts blocked.

Conclusion

Meta removing 63,000 Instagram accounts linked to sextortion scams in Nigeria is a big win but as the company said, this is just the start of a long fight. 

Sextortion is on the rise globally and the harm it causes to victims is evident, clearly more needs to be done to protect the vulnerable from these predators.

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