Google sues scam network, removes 10,000 fake businesses from Google Maps

(CLO) Google is removing 10,000 fake business listings on Google Maps and suing a fraud network behind them.

The lawsuit targets an individual accused of creating fake business profiles to sell for profit. Google’s action was prompted after a Texas locksmith reported being impersonated on the platform.

“Fraudulent behavior is becoming more sophisticated,” Google’s general counsel, Halimah DeLaine Prado, said in an interview on March 19. “When we see fraud, we look to crack down on similar fake listings.”

Illustration: Unsplash

Scammers are using Google Maps to trick users in a variety of ways. Victims may accidentally call a fake phone number, be charged higher fees for services, or be tricked into paying upfront without receiving any services. Some scammers also use software to inflate positive reviews and manipulate the Q&A system to trick users.

Google revealed that in 2023 alone, it removed or blocked 12 million fake business listings and noted an increasing trend of about one million new fake profiles each year.

The tech giant is also cracking down on businesses that use fake engagement tactics to manipulate rankings. In the UK, Google has imposed restrictions on businesses found to be engaging in fake review practices, following pressure from regulators.

Ngoc Anh (according to Google, CBS, The Verge)