Google has filed a lawsuit against scammers responsible for setting up thousands of fake business listings on Google Maps, according to a report by CBS News. The company says it has already removed over 10,000 fraudulent profiles as part of its effort to combat online scams and protect small businesses.
The scam was uncovered after a Texas-based locksmith reported someone impersonating their business on Google Maps. This tipoff led Google to investigate and take legal action.
How the Scam Worked
According to the lawsuit, a man tied to a broader scam network allegedly created fake business profiles and sold them for profit. These listings appeared legitimate and often showed up in local searches, fooling unsuspecting users into calling fake phone numbers or booking services that didn’t exist.
In some cases, victims were redirected to call centers where scammers would request payment upfront for services that were never delivered. In other cases, the scammer would show up in person but overcharge for services.
To make the listings look real, scammers reportedly used software to:
- Fake positive reviews
- Upvote fake answers in the Q&A section of real listings
- Manipulate likes and engagement to boost visibility
Google Responds
“Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated,” said Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google’s general counsel, during an appearance on CBS Mornings Plus. “Once we’re alerted to the actual fraud, we take extreme efforts to identify similar fraudulent listings.”
In 2023 alone, Google says it blocked or removed 12 million fake business profiles, an increase of over 1 million from the previous year.
Global Crackdown on Review Fraud
Google has also been cracking down on:
- Fake engagement tactics
- Artificial reviews used to boost business ratings
In the UK, the company introduced new restrictions on businesses found guilty of manipulating reviews, following pressure from regulators.
Google Maps is a vital tool for small businesses and local discovery. But as this case shows, fake listings can lead to real-world consequences from financial loss to brand damage.
This lawsuit could mark a turning point in Google’s efforts to clean up its platforms and protect both users and legitimate businesses from fraud.
Have you ever come across a suspicious listing on Google Maps? Let us know in the comments or tag us on social!
