Meta has partnered with the UK National Crime Agency and the Nigerian Police Force to dismantle a suspected online scam operation based in Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria. The syndicate allegedly targeted British residents and Americans living in the UK by using fake social media profiles and fraudulent Facebook groups that impersonated cryptocurrency traders. These groups featured fabricated testimonials and lured individuals into engaging with fake investment platforms. Preliminary findings from the Nigerian Police Force indicate the operation was highly organized and sophisticated. As part of the coordinated takedown, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center arrested seven suspects and seized 26 mobile phones, 42 SIM cards, and one laptop—items believed to have been used in carrying out the fraud. Meta played a key role by providing law enforcement with critical signals and intelligence that helped identify and locate the scam center. Nathaniel Gleicher, Global Head of Counter Fraud at Meta, emphasized the importance of collaboration: “We welcome the partnership with the UK National Crime Agency and the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to identify and disrupt this alleged scam centre, based on insight and signals shared by Meta. Scams are driven by persistent criminals and sophisticated, organized crime syndicates constantly evolving their operations to evade detection. We are focused on rooting them out, working with law enforcement, governments, and peers to protect people from these schemes. This takedown demonstrates the real impact that this cooperation can have and the importance of a ‘whole-of-society’ approach.” Nick Sharp, Deputy Director of Fraud at the National Crime Agency, added, “These arrests were made possible thanks to our close partnership working with Meta and our law enforcement partners in Nigeria. This action marks a significant step in our collective fight against fraudsters operating overseas, and will help in our mission to protect the public in the UK from serious and organised criminals. Fraudsters can operate from anywhere and will target victims both domestically and globally. The NCA will continue to work with international and private sector partners to tackle fraudsters working upstream, overseas and online.” Meta has made combating scams a priority over the past three years, building dedicated teams and systems to detect and dismantle scam hubs worldwide. In the first half of 2025 alone, Meta removed 12 million accounts across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp linked to criminal scam centers. In the previous year, the company disrupted scam operations in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines. Beyond takedowns, Meta is actively working with law enforcement agencies globally to share insights into scam tactics and criminal networks. The company also continues to roll out new product features designed to protect users at scale, helping to prevent known scam techniques from spreading on its platforms.