More than 3.7 million accounts, pages, and groups were removed from Facebook and Instagram, according to a Meta announcement on October 13, 2026. The company participated in a joint operation involving tech companies and law enforcement agencies targeting organized online fraud networks.
What exactly happened?
Meta reported that it collaborated with 14 other technology companies and authorities from ten countries, focusing on fraud networks operating in West Africa. Among the participants were companies such as Google, Microsoft, Coinbase, and others, working in collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
The same announcement reports 28 arrests and the identification and rescue of 117 people who, according to the agencies involved, had been forced to work in fraud centers.
Why aren’t we simply talking about “fake accounts”?
These networks can use fake identities and profiles to commit financial fraud: so-called investments, fake job opportunities, orders that are never delivered, or emotional manipulation aimed at getting people to transfer money.
The figure of 3.7 million refers to accounts, pages, and groups combined. It does not mean 3.7 million individual perpetrators, nor does it mean that all the accounts belonged to Greek users.
How can you protect yourself from such networks?
- Don’t send money to someone you met online just because their profile looks convincing.
- Avoid investments that promise guaranteed or extremely high returns.
- Do not give out credit card information to “employers” or unknown sellers via private messages.
- If someone asks you for cryptocurrency to “unlock” funds or reimburse a previous loss, treat this as a serious red flag.
The Bottom Line
The mass deletion of accounts demonstrates the scale of the digital operation, but it does not mean that online scams have been eliminated. Verification before any payment remains the most important defense.
Source: Meta Newsroom, October 13, 2026. Stock photo: Adem AY / Unsplash.