The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in collaboration with Meta, has blocked 176,000 WhatsApp accounts to prevent online fraud. The action targets accounts registered against recycled mobile numbers previously linked to inactive or cancelled SIM cards.
PTA officials said the decision followed complaints about fraudulent activities involving WhatsApp accounts connected to old mobile numbers. These accounts created security risks because telecom operators can issue previously cancelled numbers to new subscribers.
The coordinated action aims to protect mobile users and strengthen Pakistan’s digital security. Moreover, authorities are introducing a permanent mechanism to identify and deactivate suspicious accounts.
PTA and Meta Introduce New Blocking Mechanism
The PTA has shared approximately 10 million recycled mobile numbers with Meta for verification. The platform will identify WhatsApp accounts associated with these numbers and deactivate them in phases.
Under the new arrangement, the authority will share 5,000 recycled mobile numbers with Meta every month. This regular process will help both organisations identify potentially misused accounts and prevent further fraudulent activities.
According to officials, telecom operators currently hold approximately 16 million recycled mobile numbers. Consequently, accounts that remain active after SIM cancellation could create opportunities for scammers to exploit previous users’ information.
Meta Resolves Majority of PTA Complaints
PTA officials also revealed that Meta resolved 82 percent of complaints forwarded by the regulator during the previous year. This development highlights improved coordination between the telecommunications authority and the technology company.
The initiative will strengthen efforts to address cybercrime involving inactive mobile connections. Furthermore, authorities expect the ongoing cooperation to reduce fraud risks for individuals receiving recycled SIM cards.
The latest action represents an important step towards improving online security in Pakistan. Both organisations will continue identifying suspicious accounts and implementing measures to protect WhatsApp users.
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