Meta, in collaboration with law‑enforcement agencies from the United States, United Kingdom, Nigeria, Ghana and several other countries, announced on 13 October 2026 that it had deleted over 3.7 million Facebook and Instagram accounts, pages and groups tied to West African scam networks, prompting 28 arrests and the rescue of trafficking victims.
**What scale of removal was achieved?**
- More than 3.7 million fraudulent profiles were taken down from Meta’s platforms.
- Microsoft also suspended related accounts.
- Leads on over 30 suspected scam centres were handed to police.
- Authorities rescued 117 individuals forced to work in a Ghanaian compound.
- Up to $11 million in suspect funds were identified, though none has been confirmed frozen.
**Who were the key partners in the operation?**
The week‑long crackdown began on 6 October 2026 at the London headquarters of the [National Crime Agency](https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk). Participants included the FBI, the US Department of Justice, and police forces from Ghana, Nigeria, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India. Tech firms such as Coinbase, Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Starlink and Adobe shared data with investigators. The FBI’s director, Kash Patel, highlighted the potential to freeze $11 million in illicit proceeds.
**Which scams were identified?**
Meta listed seven recurring fraud patterns and the warning signs that expose them:
- **Investment scams** – unsolicited offers of high‑return crypto or other investments from online acquaintances.
- **Job or task scams** – fake employment or micro‑task offers that demand an upfront fee before any payment.
- **Law‑enforcement impersonation** – actors posing as police or officials who threaten immediate payment to avoid arrest.
- **Military impersonation** – supposed soldiers abroad requesting money for leave, travel or equipment.
- **Non‑delivery scams** – sellers who accept payment but never provide the promised goods or services.
- **Romance scams** – fabricated relationships that culminate in urgent pleas for money.
- **Scam‑recovery fraud** – promises to retrieve lost funds for an upfront charge, which is then stolen.
**How can victims protect themselves?**
- Cease all communication and never send money, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
- Use the three‑dot menu on the offending Facebook or Instagram profile to report the account.
- File a complaint with local authorities; in the US, report to the FTC’s ReportFraud portal.
- If a payment has already been made, contact your bank or payment app immediately and check whether your email or password has been compromised.
**What remains unknown?**
Meta has not disclosed how many of the removed profiles were operated by real individuals versus bots. Police have not released the full list of arrested persons or the specific charges they face, and it is still unclear how much of the identified $11 million will be frozen or returned to victims. Updates will be added as agencies publish further details.