Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Friday, Jul 11, 2025

Thousands of Phony Reviews and Sham Businesses: The Huge Scam Revealed on Google Search and Maps

Thousands of Phony Reviews and Sham Businesses: The Huge Scam Revealed on Google Search and Maps

An investigation has uncovered an international fraud network that sells fake business listings and reviews on Google Maps. This exposure of a large-scale fraud operation, trafficking in phony business profiles and reviews, serves as a strong reminder that ratings, reviews, views, likes, and followers have become commodities sold in the millions across the internet and should not be accepted without careful verification. Although companies like Google are possibly making efforts to combat fake accounts that pay for advertising and generate substantial profits for the company, consumers need to remain vigilant when searching for services online.
An inquiry initiated by a complaint from a locksmith in Texas has revealed an international fraud ring that marketed tens of thousands of counterfeit business listings via Google Maps. The perpetrators hijacked existing business profiles and fabricated positive reviews to lure in unsuspecting customers. Here’s how you can recognize similar scams and safeguard yourself against them.

Google has identified more than 10,000 phony business listings on its widely used Google Maps application, available on nearly every smartphone, and has commenced legal proceedings against those behind the deceit. This information was disclosed by CBS Network yesterday (Wednesday). The extensive investigation led by the company uncovered that this fraudulent network created and sold bogus business profiles on the platform.

The Fraud Ring and Its Strategies
The scam was first uncovered when a licensed locksmith in Texas observed that an unlicensed locksmith was misappropriating his name on Google Maps. A local investigation unveiled a broader operation, prompting a large-scale inquiry. Ultimately, Google opted to eliminate over 10,000 illegitimate listings of this nature from its maps.

These fraudulent listings encompassed entirely fictitious businesses as well as hijacked profiles of genuine companies, altered to promote unauthorized entities. According to Google's legal advisor, Halima Dlayne Prado, upon receiving a report of such fraud, the company promptly acts to identify similar deceptive listings.

This issue is not a novel occurrence. Google has been combating fake businesses advertising through Google Maps for several years. The fraudsters would set up a profile for an existing business that either lacked an official profile or wasn't actively managed, inputting a real address, an authentic website, or photos, but replacing the legitimate phone number with their own.

How the Fraudsters Operate
Once the fraudsters created these false profiles, Google Maps would frequently recommend the fake company based on user searches. Consequently, users would unwittingly contact a con artist masquerading as a licensed business. In some instances, there were claims that Google profited from this situation, as the fraudulent companies would pay for promotion, improving their visibility in relevant search results.

According to Google, most of these counterfeit businesses pertained to locksmiths, towing services, and other urgent services that individuals seek in emergencies. In such high-stress scenarios, people often search for local professionals on Google Maps, even if they have never used their services before. Sadly, rather than connecting with a legitimate expert, they may fall prey to an imposter.

The Increasing Sophistication of Fraudsters
Halima Dlayne Prado noted that the fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated over time. They collaborated with agents globally and even utilized social media to expand their fraudulent networks. Google reported that the scammers also marketed fake positive reviews for businesses, further drowning out negative feedback on social media platforms. In one lawsuit, Google presented an example of a Facebook post showcasing "5-star reviews" for completely fictitious companies.

Common Scams Employed by Fraudsters
Google's investigation unveiled that these fraudsters employed a variety of tactics. In some cases, customers would call a legitimate business, but the call would be intercepted and rerouted through a lead generation service, ultimately reaching the scammers. More often than not, the fraudster who arrived to provide the service would charge an inflated price, exploiting the customer’s urgency. Under pressure to complete the job, customers frequently succumbed to these excessive fees.

How to Avoid Falling Victim to These Scams
Google advises exercising caution, even in urgent situations. Consumers should diligently verify the website address and phone number of the company they contact, ensuring they match the Google Maps listing. A warning sign should be raised if the company requests excessive information, such as an ID number, or insists on unconventional payment methods like gift cards or wire transfers.

To tackle fraud of this nature, Google has created various tools, both automated and human-driven by analysts. The company claims it has removed or blocked approximately 12 million fake business profiles annually over the past two years. Furthermore, Google announced that it would allocate any compensation received through legal actions related to this matter to organizations combating fraud.

Google’s Dedication to Fighting Fraud
Google is committed to enhancing the safety of Google Maps for businesses and consumers. The company has been actively engaged in investigating fraudulent activities and implementing measures to mitigate the rise of fake business listings and reviews. The recent legal actions underscore its ongoing efforts to uphold the integrity of its services and shield users from fraudulent practices.

Additional Insights on Fake Business Listings
Counterfeit business listings on platforms like Google Maps not only mislead consumers into scams but also damage the reputation of legitimate businesses. Fraudsters can distort competition by manipulating search results, unfairly benefiting fake businesses that mislead customers. Google’s efforts to eliminate fake listings are a crucial step in protecting both consumers and businesses from these harmful activities.

As the popularity of online platforms and mapping services continues to grow, so does the potential for fraud in these domains. Both businesses and consumers must remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to platforms like Google to help prevent the spread of fraudulent listings.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
×