In 2025, scams targeting everyday users, entrepreneurs, and startups have evolved dramatically through sophisticated techniques, often supercharged by AI. To combat these threats, WhatsApp has introduced new anti-scam features aimed at safeguarding both personal and professional users. This update is especially crucial for startups, which are often a prime target due to their limited resources and rapid pace. In this article, we’ll explore WhatsApp’s efforts, share startup-specific tips to avoid scams, and introduce tools like PlayPal and the F/MS AI Grant Finder and Application Writer that can help protect and empower your entrepreneurial journey.
What Are WhatsApp's New Anti-Scam Features?
Released in August 2025, WhatsApp's innovative security upgrade comes as part of its broader strategy to enhance user security and curb fraudulent activities. Over 6.8 million accounts globally linked to scams have been removed, and the platform now offers tools for better scam detection in both group and individual discussions.
Key New Features:
- Safety Overview for Group Chats
- Before joining a group to which you’ve been added by an unfamiliar number, you’ll now see a group safety summary.
- The summary reveals whether the user who added you is in your contact list and if any group members overlap with your known connections.
- Actionable Tip: Notifications from unfamiliar groups are muted until you confirm your intention to stay in the group.
- Warnings for New Individual Chats
- When messaging a contact not saved in your list, WhatsApp now displays detailed context about the person you're about to engage with.
- This encourages users to pause and evaluate before continuing a potentially risky conversation.
- Cross-Platform Link Analysis
- Many scammers shift from one platform (e.g., LinkedIn) to WhatsApp for added legitimacy in their attacks. WhatsApp's new AI algorithms analyze behavior to flag suspicious accounts and warn users.
- AI-Driven Fraud Detection and Prevention
- WhatsApp collaborated with OpenAI to detect and dismantle organized scam rings. For instance, coordinated pyramid schemes in Southeast Asia were found using tools like ChatGPT to create convincing scam narratives.
Learn more through WhatsApp's official blog post: New WhatsApp Tools to Beat Messaging Scams.
How Scams Specifically Target Startups
Startups are prime scam targets because they often operate at high speeds with minimal checks, leaving gaps that fraudsters exploit. Common attack methods include:
- Fake Investment Offers: Scammers pose as VCs promising funding in exchange for an up-front "processing" fee.
- Urgent Employee Transfer Scams: Fraudsters impersonate founders and instruct finance teams to transfer funds quickly.
- Subscription Scams: Fake business services (like SaaS tools or accelerators) fish for subscription payments while delivering nothing of value.
Top Tools for Startups in 2025 to Stay Safe and Succeed
Protecting your startup means more than just spotting scams, it also involves leveraging cutting-edge tools focused on resources and efficiency. Below are two resources worth exploring:
1. PlayPal – Your AI Co-Founder and Startup Buddy
Developed by Fe/male Switch, PlayPal is an AI companion designed not just to prevent scams but to brainstorm entrepreneurial ideas, validate assumptions, and assist with strategy and operations. PlayPal acts as your increasingly sharp brainstorming partner with insights into markets, grant applications, and even conversational support when founders feel stuck.
- Key Features:
- Mental Check-Ins: Need an AI Friend to talk through an intimidating pitch or an investor email? PlayPal has you covered.
- Idea Development: PlayPal helps refine your startup idea.
- Startup Safety: The bot educates you on scams, tricky clauses in contracts, and how to secure against specific threats.
Access PlayPal here: Chat with PlayPal by Fe/male Switch.
2. F/MS AI Grant Finder and Application Writer
Grabbing funding while avoiding fraudulent offers has never been easier. This AI tool simplifies the otherwise tedious grant application process, especially in Europe. Find the right grant for your startup in seconds and have the AI prepare a dependable application draft for you.
- Why It Matters for Startups:
- Cuts down research time significantly.
- Ensures accuracy and compliance with European funding regulations.
- Reduces reliance on external grant writers (a frequent target of scams).
Optimize your funding approach here: F/MS AI Grant Finder for EU Startup Grants.
How to Avoid Startup Scams: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Verify all external links and contacts. If someone shares a link, verify the source (e.g., official domains like ".gov" or ".eu").
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication on WhatsApp. A simple yet crucial step for added security.
- Cross-check through PlayPal. Share any unusual offers with your AI companion for advice and suggestions.
- Pause & Consult: Whenever pressed for immediate action regarding money or sensitive data, take a step back to consult a trusted source or AI like the F/MS Startup Lawyer.
Common Mistakes Startups Make (and How to Avoid Scams)
- Skipping Legal Reviews: One overlooked clause in a contract can ruin your startup. Use AI tools like F/MS Startup Lawyer to analyze potential risks.
- Trusting WhatsApp Groups Blindly: Even with WhatsApp's new features, always check group participants before engaging in conversations.
- Ignoring SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure): In a sandbox mode, startups should formalize procedures for evaluating invites, investments, or platforms to use.
- Failing to Educate Teams: Most scams originate from employees falling for phishing attempts. Basic education can go a long way.
Conclusion: Embrace Innovation While Staying Vigilant
WhatsApp’s 2025 anti-scam features are a valuable addition to the ecosystem, aiming to protect users and guide them away from potentially harmful interactions. For startups navigating an increasingly complex ecosystem, tools like PlayPal and the F/MS AI Grant Finder and Application Writer are invaluable allies in addressing security risks and streamlining operations.
If you’re a founder or entrepreneur, remember: vigilance, the right tools, and constant learning will not only safeguard your startup but also supercharge your journey to success.
FAQ
1. What are WhatsApp’s new anti-scam features in 2025?
WhatsApp introduced safety overviews for group chats, alerts for unfamiliar contacts, and AI-driven fraud detection with OpenAI tools. These features aim to combat scams and enhance user security. Read about WhatsApp’s new safety tools
2. How does WhatsApp’s “Safety Overview” for group chats work?
The safety overview shows crucial details, such as if the person adding you is in your contacts and whether other group members overlap with your connections. Notifications from unfamiliar groups are muted until confirmed. Learn about WhatsApp’s Safety Overview
3. What does WhatsApp’s warning for new individual chats include?
It provides detailed context about unknown contacts, encouraging users to pause before engaging in potentially risky conversations. Discover WhatsApp’s individual chat warnings
4. How does WhatsApp use AI to detect and prevent scams?
WhatsApp partnered with OpenAI to dismantle organized scam rings, using AI to flag suspicious accounts and fraudulent behavior. Explore WhatsApp’s AI-driven fraud detection
5. Are startups a specific target for scams?
Yes, startups often face scams like fake investment offers, urgent transfer requests, and fraudulent subscriptions due to minimal checks and rapid operations.
6. How can startups spot and avoid scams effectively?
Startups should verify links, enable two-factor authentication, educate teams about phishing attempts, and use AI tools like PlayPal and F/MS AI Grant Finder. Explore PlayPal’s safety features | Learn about F/MS AI Grant Finder
7. What is PlayPal and how does it help startups?
PlayPal is an AI companion offering startup idea validation, scam detection, market insights, and mental check-ins to support founders. Learn about PlayPal AI support
8. What is the F/MS AI Grant Finder and Application Writer?
This tool helps startups quickly identify suitable grants and drafts compliant application submissions, saving time and reducing reliance on external consultants. Check F/MS AI Grant Finder benefits
9. What anti-scam tools can WhatsApp users enable for extra protection?
Users can activate two-factor authentication, review group member lists, and consult AI tools like PlayPal for further guidance.
10. Why did WhatsApp remove 6.8 million accounts?
WhatsApp banned 6.8 million accounts connected to global scam operations, many tied to Southeast Asian scam rings exploiting forced labor. Learn about global WhatsApp account bans
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
