Google is taking legal action against a network of scammers who manipulated Google Maps to deceive consumers and businesses. The main defendant in the lawsuit is a Maryland man who allegedly coordinated teams of scammers to create fake business listings and reviews. The scammers would then reroute victims to unrelated businesses, who would charge inflated prices for services. Google received a complaint from a locksmith in Texas, leading to a larger investigation that uncovered thousands of fake profiles and hijacked business accounts.
The lawsuit claims that the Maryland man engaged in a “lead-generation” scheme by selling information about the victims he lured in through his fake listings. Despite Google’s efforts to remove fake listings and block the accounts responsible, the scheme remains ongoing, with recent scam attempts targeting businesses in the Washington DC area. Google’s general counsel stated that impersonation schemes will not be tolerated, and encouraged users to visit ScamSpotters.com for warnings and to be cautious of scams requesting personal information or payment through wire transfers or gift cards.
To protect businesses and users, Google is actively removing fake business listings from Google Maps and taking legal action against scammers. The company used automated scanning tools and a dedicated analyst team to investigate complaints and suspicious activity, leading to the discovery of thousands of fake profiles. The scheme by the Maryland man involved creating fake online listings for businesses that do not exist and bolstering them with fake reviews from fabricated individuals. These actions erode consumer trust in Google Maps as a reliable source for finding businesses.
One common scam involved victims calling a business, such as a locksmith, on Google Maps and being rerouted to a different number, ultimately being charged inflated prices for services. The lawsuit states that this behavior misleads consumers and undermines the credibility of Business Profiles on Google. Despite Google’s efforts to remove fake listings and block the accounts responsible, the Maryland man’s scheme continues to be active, with recent scam attempts targeting businesses in the Washington DC area. Google urges users to be cautious and to report any suspicious activity on Google Maps.
In response to the ongoing scam, Google has filed a lawsuit against the Maryland man and continues to take steps to protect businesses and users from falling victim to similar schemes. The company uses a range of tools to prevent fake business listings on Google Maps and investigates complaints and suspicious activity to identify and remove fraudulent accounts. While the lawsuit addresses the specific scheme orchestrated by the main defendant, Google remains vigilant in monitoring and responding to potential scams on its platform. The company’s efforts send a clear message that impersonation schemes will not be tolerated, and it encourages users to stay informed and cautious when interacting with businesses online.
