Google Takes Legal Action Against Alleged Cryptocurrency Scammers
In a bold move to protect its users, Google has initiated legal proceedings against two individuals, Yunfeng Sun and Hongnam Cheung, for their involvement in a sophisticated cryptocurrency scam. The tech behemoth alleges that the duo, operating under various pseudonyms, has been orchestrating a fraudulent scheme via fake cryptocurrency apps on the Google Play store, impacting over 100,000 users globally.
The accused, Sun and Cheung, are said to have started their deceptive practices in 2019, making “false statements” to bypass the Play Store’s security measures. These statements reportedly pertained to their identities, whereabouts, and the purported functionalities of their apps. Google’s general counsel, Halimah DeLaine Prado, highlighted the significance of the lawsuit in an interview with CNBC, stating that it represents a proactive effort to clamp down on malicious entities and safeguard the digital ecosystem.
Prado also pointed out the alarming statistic that cryptocurrency scams have siphoned off over a billion dollars from victims in the United States in 2023 alone, underscoring the urgency of combating such fraudulent activities.
The lawsuit details how the apps in question were engineered to mislead users by displaying fictitious investment returns, only to deny them the ability to withdraw their funds. The methods employed by Sun and Cheung to attract victims were multifaceted, ranging from sending misleading text messages via Google Voice to disseminating promotional content on social media platforms like YouTube, and even engaging in affiliate marketing strategies. Court documents reveal that some text messages were crafted to appear as accidental “wrong number” texts, a tactic used to initiate conversation and gradually build trust with potential victims.
Despite Google’s efforts to eliminate the fraudulent apps from the Play Store, the defendants reportedly continued their scam by creating new apps under different accounts, all the while concealing their true identities. In response to these persistent fraudulent activities, Google is seeking damages in excess of ,000 and is requesting a permanent injunction to prevent Sun, Cheung, and their associates from accessing Google accounts or services in the future.
