Meta Cracks Down On Nigerian Sextortion Scams Amid Regulatory Heat

Just days after being slapped with a hefty USD 220 M fine by Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for privacy violations, Meta Platforms Inc. has announced a crackdown on financial sextortion scams originating from the country.

The social media giant revealed on Wednesday it had removed thousands of accounts linked to scammers who used its platforms to blackmail victims after soliciting intimate photos.

“We’ve removed around 63,000 Instagram accounts in Nigeria attempting to target people with financial sextortion scams, including a coordinated network of around 2,500 accounts,” “Meta said in a statement. “We’ve also removed a set of Facebook accounts, Pages and Groups run by Yahoo Boys – banned under our Dangerous Organizations and Individuals policy – that were attempting to organize, recruit and train new scammers.”

This follows a Bloomberg Businessweek exposé on the rapid rise of financial sextortion in the US, which traced many of the scams back to Nigeria.

“Financial sextortion is a horrific crime that can have devastating consequences,” Meta added. “This is an adversarial space where criminals evolve to evade our ever-improving defenses.”

The crackdown comes as Meta faces increased scrutiny over its operations in Nigeria. The FCCPC accused the company of “abusive and invasive practices” against Nigerian users through its WhatsApp platform.

The commission’s 116-page report details a litany of charges, including forced acceptance of privacy policy, excessive data collection, discriminatory treatment, and market dominance abuse.

The FCCPC argues that Meta prioritized profit over user protection, treating Nigerian users as second-class citizens. The commission’s findings have sparked outrage among privacy advocates and raised concerns about the broader implications for data protection in Africa.

A Meta spokesperson said the company disagreed with the judgment and planned to appeal.

The company’s recent crackdown on sextortion-linked accounts in Nigeria could however restore some of its perception with government authoriiest. The sextortion scam, often perpetrated by groups of individuals perpetrating cyber fraud locally known as the “Yahoo Boys,” involves creating fake profiles to lure victims into sharing explicit content. The scammers then blackmail victims, threatening to distribute the images to friends and family unless they pay a ransom.

The FBI has labelled sextortion as one of the fastest-growing crimes targeting children in the US. The tragic consequences of these scams have been highlighted by several high-profile cases, including the suicide of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay.

Meta’s action is a significant step in combating this growing threat. However, with the Yahoo Boys known for their adaptability, the company will need to remain vigilant. As the FCCPC’s fine indicates, Meta also faces pressure to improve its data privacy practices in Nigeria. The coming months will be crucial in determining how effectively the company can balance its commercial interests with its responsibility to protect users.


Featured Image Credits: Rafael Henrique | Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images