Google sues scammers behind thousands of fake business lists of cards

Google is suing a network of scammers who manipulate Google Maps by falsifying or kidnapping about 10,000 business lists to understand people from money. The main defendant specified in trial is a man of Maryland, who supposedly played a central role in the scheme, helping coordinating teams of fraudsters around the world.

The trial, first reported From CBS News, the man said for two years “abused Google Services to create fake online business lists that do not exist and to strengthen them with false reviews from people who do not exist.” He also claims that the man was involved in a lead scheme by selling information to other scammers for people who lured his fake business lists.

A general scam included a victim calling a business, such as a locksmith found on Google Maps, just to be redirected to a different number. This number will connect them to an unrelated locksmith who can charge an increased price for the service after they arrive at home. “This behavior misleads users and will probably erode its confidence in Google business profiles as a reliable and safe way to find and connect the local business,” The company said at The trialS

Google said he had received a complaint from a locksmith in Texas, which was presented in Google Maps and then began a more in -depth investigation into what revealed a more trend. The company uses automated scanning tools and a specialized analyst team to investigate complaints and suspicious activities, to disclose thousands of fake profiles or abducted business accounts that have been taken by fraudsters.

Google has removed these counterfeit lists from Google Maps, blocks the accounts that create them, and filed legal action in response. The trial, however, said that the Maryland Human Scheme remains “active and continuing” with its latest attempts at fraud against business in the Washington area in DC in the last few weeks.

“Fake business lists are banned in Google Maps and we use a number of business and users’ tools,” said Google General Halima Dine Prado in a statement sent to CNET. “This litigation upgrades our efforts and sends a clear message that the performance schemes will not be tolerated.”

In order not to be the victim of these scams, Prado advised CBS Mornings Plus this week that users visit scamspotters.com to seek the latest warnings. She also recommended verification of URLs to ensure that they correspond to the legal business, stops if it is requested for unnecessary personal information such as the Social Security List number and care for errors, wires for transferring wires or requests for gift card payments.