Google Maps is being used by scammers to commit fraud

According to Business Insider , technology giant Google has just filed a lawsuit against a man living in Maryland (USA) and his accomplices, for creating a series of fake businesses on Google Maps to collect and sell users' personal information.

Google sues criminal organization for using Google Maps to commit fraud

According to the lawsuit filed in California federal court, Yaniv Asayag and about 20 co-defendants repeatedly committed fraud by creating and editing business listings on Google Maps and Google Search. These businesses often offered emergency services such as air conditioning repair, car rescue, or locksmithing.

Google Maps is being used for fraud

PHOTO: SLATE SCREENSHOT

This group of scammers created fake business pages with fake positive reviews to attract users. When users contacted these businesses, their personal information was collected and sold to marketing companies.

Notably, Google alleges that user information may have been sold to companies with a history of shady practices, such as overcharging or extortion. Google also says that service scams are “very common” due to lead generation tactics.

One example Google gave was the fake business “ByDennis Cleaner,” which was later renamed “MS Locksmith.” Over the course of a year, the group edited the information of nearly 150 businesses more than 1,000 times.

Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google’s general counsel, said the company does not allow fake business listings on Google Maps and uses a variety of tools to protect users and businesses. She also stressed that the lawsuit sends a strong message that Google will not tolerate fraudulent behavior.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that users carefully check the URL and look for reviews and complaints about the business before contacting it.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/google-maps-bi-ke-gian-loi-dung-de-lua-dao-1852503241413091.htm