Google announced a new initiative aimed at combating the escalating complexity and volume of online scams that have become a significant concern for users worldwide.
With this new initiative, Google’s Trust & Safety teams will be launching regular advisories designed to educate the public about emerging threats and share vital safety tips to help individuals protect themselves from fraudulent schemes.
Google highlights five major trends in scams that have recently gained traction, beginning with public figure impersonation campaigns that utilize advanced deepfake technology to create convincing yet fraudulent representations of well-known individuals.
“These impersonations often promote fraudulent offerings ranging from high-return investments to fake giveaways and harmful apps. These scams are complex, blending traditional impersonation and investment fraud, while attempting to exploit multiple products as part of a single campaign,” Google warned.
In addition to impersonation, the advisory addresses the alarming rise in cryptocurrency investment scams, which often promise unrealistic returns and leverage manipulated media to falsely imply affiliation with trusted figures or brands.
“Be skeptical of any investment that promises guaranteed or extremely high returns with little or no risk. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” the company advised.
Another concerning trend involves app and landing page cloning, where scammers create deceptive websites that closely resemble legitimate brands, tricking users into providing sensitive personal information or making unauthorized purchases.
Moreover, deceptive cloaking tactics are increasingly being used by scammers to present misleading content to Google while showing different information to users, thereby evading detection and enforcement measures.
“Take note of the URL displayed to you before you click, then double check the landing page you ended up on to be sure it is exactly the same. You should also enable Enhanced Protection on Chrome,” reminded Google.
Finally, malicious actors are exploiting significant events such as elections and natural disasters to launch fraudulent campaigns promoting fake products and services, taking advantage of heightened public interest during these times.
Google emphasizes the importance of vigilance among users and encourages them to verify information before engaging with online content or making purchases.
“Bad actors are constantly evolving their tactics and techniques. And we’re sharpening our detection and enforcement techniques to meet these threats, enhancing our proactive capabilities, and ensuring we have robust and fair policies in place to protect people.”
