Google is suing a suspected cybercrime network based in China that is said to use artificial intelligence or AI and fake SMS to steal personal data and financial information of mobile phone users.
Anadolu Agency, quoted Saturday, June 20, reported that the lawsuit targeted an operation called Outsider Enterprise. According to Google, this group coordinated via Telegram and distributed phishing devices to send fake SMS on behalf of Google and other trusted brands.
Phishing is an attempt to trick users into handing over sensitive data, such as passwords, card numbers, or account information.
In its lawsuit, Google said the network sent about 2.5 million messages to Android users in just two weeks in May. The messages directed victims to fake websites created by the group.
The modus is close to everyday life. Messages contain warnings that accounts have been hacked, package tracking, or other urgent claims. The goal is to make users panic, then click on the link.
Once the link is opened, the victim is directed to a site designed to collect confidential information.
Google also accused members of the network of encouraging each other to use the Gemini chatbot to help write special code for malicious sites. However, the lawsuit did not mention the financial losses specifically related to the fake SMS.
According to Anadolu Agency, the wider operation is connected to around 9,000 fake sites and more than 1 million fraudulent URLs. Google also said 55,000 spam SMS were flagged to Android users over two weeks in May.
Google said it has worked with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon to block fake SMS before they reach potential victims. The company is also coordinating with US law enforcement.
Google's lawsuit shows how SMS fraud is now harder to recognize. With the help of AI, fake messages can be made more neat, more convincing, and look like official notifications.
Pressure on technology companies and telecommunications operators is also increasing. They are required to be faster in blocking phishing and smishing, which is fraud via SMS using the name of a trusted brand, automated tools, and sending large numbers of messages to trap consumers.
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