A new threat analysis highlights how cybercrime has evolved into a highly organised global industry targeting millions of internet users. According to a report released by Meta, people in India are now the 2nd most targeted population in the worldwide cyber fraud ecosystem.
The report states that cybercrime has transformed into a corporate-style operation with organised networks using social media platforms and communication apps to target victims. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are among the most widely used globally, making them common channels exploited by cybercriminals.
In 2025, the company removed 10.9 million accounts linked to scam centres operating in regions including Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, United Arab Emirates and the Philippines.
Experts say the tactics used by scam syndicates have also become more sophisticated. Criminal groups are shifting from mass scams to targeted attacks on wealthy individuals and people in influential positions.
“They’re moving beyond romance and cryptocurrency scams and they’re now running targeted approaches much more similar to spearfishing or whaling methods in traditional cyber security,” said David Agranovich, Director of Global Threat Disruption at Meta.
The company also observed cases where scammers contact victims who were previously targeted and pretend to be law enforcement officials. The goal is to extract more money or sensitive information under the excuse of “clearing” a case or completing “verification”.
The report highlights a growing use of artificial intelligence in cyber fraud operations. In one case, a network used AI-generated content to run fake pet adoption campaigns. These scams involved posts and advertisements asking victims to pay fees for veterinary care, transport or rehoming.
“Our investigation revealed that scammers used AI to scale their operations, generating location-specific content and culturally appropriate messaging to improve targeting in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.”
Cybercrime networks also rely on large physical operations. Many of these scam centres operate from compounds in countries such as Cambodia and Myanmar, often equipped with high-speed internet and guarded facilities.
According to the report, scam activities from Myanmar dropped in 2025 following US sanctions and civil conflict in Karen state. However, the focus of these networks has shifted to southern Cambodia near the Vietnam border.
The remote nature of these locations creates major challenges for international law enforcement. Agranovich said stronger global cooperation is necessary to tackle these operations that operate across borders.
To counter these threats, Meta also introduced new anti-scam tools. Facebook will flag suspicious friend requests, while WhatsApp will warn users about potentially fraudulent device-linking attempts such as fake QR code logins.
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