Google Sues Alleged Chinese Scam Group Behind Massive US Text Message Phishing Ring (nbcnews.com)
(Wednesday December 17, 2025 @11:49AM (msmash)
from the taking-a-stand dept.)
- Reference: 0180411373
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/12/17/1613200/google-sues-alleged-chinese-scam-group-behind-massive-us-text-message-phishing-ring
- Source link: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/google-sues-chinese-scam-ring-e-zpass-usps-phishing-texts-rcna249469
Google is [1]suing a Chinese-speaking cybercriminal group it says is responsible for a massive wave of scam text messages sent to Americans this year, according to a legal complaint filed Tuesday. From a report:
> The group, known as Darcula, sells software that allows users to send phishing text messages en masse, impersonating organizations like the IRS or the U.S. Postal Service in scams. The lawsuit is designed to give Google legal standing so U.S. courts will allow it to seize websites the group uses, hampering their operations, a spokesperson said.
>
> Darcula is possibly the most prominent name in an emerging, loosely affiliated cybercrime world that creates and sells hacking programs for aspiring scammers to use. Darcula's signature program, called Magic Cat, provides an easy-to-use, intuitive way for cybercriminals without advanced hacking skills to quickly spam millions of phone numbers with links to fake websites impersonating businesses like YouTube's premium service, then steal the credit card numbers victims put in.
[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/google-sues-chinese-scam-ring-e-zpass-usps-phishing-texts-rcna249469
> The group, known as Darcula, sells software that allows users to send phishing text messages en masse, impersonating organizations like the IRS or the U.S. Postal Service in scams. The lawsuit is designed to give Google legal standing so U.S. courts will allow it to seize websites the group uses, hampering their operations, a spokesperson said.
>
> Darcula is possibly the most prominent name in an emerging, loosely affiliated cybercrime world that creates and sells hacking programs for aspiring scammers to use. Darcula's signature program, called Magic Cat, provides an easy-to-use, intuitive way for cybercriminals without advanced hacking skills to quickly spam millions of phone numbers with links to fake websites impersonating businesses like YouTube's premium service, then steal the credit card numbers victims put in.
[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/google-sues-chinese-scam-ring-e-zpass-usps-phishing-texts-rcna249469
Since when ... (Score:2)
... is SMS traffic to/from my mobile devices any of Googles concern?
Since (Score:2)
It is their concern since it is being used for Google account takeover. Account takeover didn't used to bother them. But, it has become so rampant that it is starting to inconvenience Google to the point that they are losing profits to it.