Google is suing a fraudulent network that manipulates Google maps to make money by forging or hijacking about 10,000 business lists. The main defendant is litigation is a Maryland man who allegedly executes the program by helping coordinate teams of fraudsters around the world.
Litigation, first Report CBS News noted that the man had “abuse Google services, created fake online listings for non-existent businesses and strengthened them with fake comments from non-existent people.” It also claimed that the man was engaged in a “lead generation” program by selling information to other scammers to understand the people his fake business list attracted.
A common scam involves a business that victims find on Google Maps, such as a locksmith, that is simply rerouted to another number. This number connects them with unrelated locksmiths, who can charge exaggerated prices for the price of service once they arrive at home. “This behavior misleads consumers and can undermine their trust in Google’s business profile, a reliable and secure way to find and contact local businesses,” the company said in the company. litigation.
Google said it received a complaint from a Texas locksmith who was imitated on Google Maps and then began a deeper investigation into research that discovered larger trends. The company uses automated scanning tools and a dedicated team of analysts to investigate complaints and suspicious activity, discovering thousands of fake profiles or hijacked business accounts taken over by fraudsters.
Google removed these fake lists from Google Maps, blocked their accounts from being created, and filed legal action against the response. However, the lawsuit says the Marylander program has carried out the latest scam on businesses in the Washington, D.C. area over the past few weeks, and the program remains “active and ongoing.”
“The use of fake business listings is prohibited on Google Maps, and we use a range of tools to protect business and users,” said Halimah Delaine Prado, general counsel of Google, in a statement sent to CNET. “This lawsuit is based on our efforts and conveys a clear message that fake plans will not be tolerated.”
To avoid becoming a victim of these scams, Prado this week suggested “CBS Mornings Plus”, with users visiting Scamspotters.com for the latest warnings. She also recommends checking the URLs to make sure they match legal business if requested for unnecessary personal information, such as the social security number of the mailing list, and beware of typos, wire transfer requests or gift card payment requirements.
