Meta has introduced a new fraud detection feature on its instant messaging apps WhatsApp and Messenger in an effort to combat online fraud targeting the elderly.
TechCrunch reported Tuesday that Meta will display a warning in WhatsApp when users try to share their screen during a call with an unknown contact.
Meanwhile in Messenger, the system will flag messages that are deemed suspicious and give users the option to send them to an artificial intelligence (AI) system for review.
Meta said it detected and took action against approximately eight million accounts involved in online fraudulent activity during the first half of 2025, including those linked to fraud hubs in regions such as Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines.
The tech company has also taken action against more than 21,000 Facebook pages and accounts that pretended to be customer support services to steal user data.
Fraud syndicates target seniors across a range of industries, including social media platforms, messaging apps, dating apps, and crypto apps.
To protect seniors from fraud, Meta will display a warning on WhatsApp when users try to share their screen with an unknown contact during a video call.
According to the company, the screen sharing method is often used by fraudsters to steal sensitive information such as banking data or verification codes.
