Google has issued a warning about a sharp increase in artificial intelligence-driven scams that are becoming more convincing and widespread. In its latest advisory, the company cautioned that cybercriminals are now using generative AI to create fake job listings, cloned business pages, and deceptive apps that appear identical to legitimate platforms. As the holiday shopping season and year-end job searches draw near, Google warned that both individuals and businesses face heightened risks from these advanced online frauds and called for greater vigilance.
The technology giant’s Trust and Safety team reported that scammers are now leveraging AI to replicate company branding, duplicate corporate websites, and fabricate recruiter profiles with alarming accuracy. One of the most common scams involves fraudulent job postings where criminals impersonate well-known companies or government offices to trick applicants into sharing personal data or paying supposed “processing charges.” Some even distribute harmful “interview software” designed to steal sensitive information. Google reiterated that legitimate employers never request payments or financial details during recruitment.
Businesses are also becoming targets of what Google describes as “review extortion.” In this tactic, attackers flood company pages with fake negative reviews to damage reputations and then demand money to remove them. To combat this, Google has introduced a new feature that allows merchants to report such extortion directly from their business profiles for faster resolution.
The advisory also warned of a surge in AI impersonation scams. Fraudsters are creating fake websites and applications that mimic popular AI tools, often offering “exclusive” or “free” access. These fraudulent platforms typically install malicious software, steal login credentials, or trick users into subscribing to expensive “fleeceware.” Similarly, several VPN apps disguised as privacy tools have been found to contain hidden malware, Google said.
To strengthen protection, Google is expanding the use of AI-powered Safe Browsing, enforcing stricter Play Store policies, and adding real-time scam detection in Gmail and Google Messages. The company advised users to remain cautious during major shopping periods such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, urging them to verify website addresses, avoid unofficial downloads, and stay wary of offers that appear too good to be true.
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