How scammers are using fake Google Maps listings to target customers

Google has removed 10,000 fake business listings from Google Maps and filed a lawsuit against a scam network accused of creating and selling fraudulent profiles.

The legal action was prompted by a complaint from a Texas locksmith who discovered someone had impersonated their business on the platform. That led Google to uncover a broader scheme involving fake listings for profit.

The company warns that scammers are using increasingly advanced methods to trick users. These fake listings may appear legitimate, leading customers to contact or visit them.

Victims are sometimes overcharged for services or misled into paying upfront for services that are never delivered. Scammers also use fake reviews and manipulated Q&As to make the listings seem trustworthy.

In 2023 alone, Google blocked or removed 12 million fake business profiles, an increase of one million from the previous year.

The company has also been cracking down on businesses using fake engagement tactics, including artificial reviews, to inflate their reputations falsely.

Internationally, Google has begun implementing stricter rules in response to growing regulatory pressure, including in the UK, where it restricts deceptive businesses engaged in review manipulation.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.