Google has filed a lawsuit against an organised cybercrime operation known as the “Outsider Enterprise,” accusing the group of running a large-scale phishing network that uses fake websites and fraudulent messages to target consumers.
According to the company, the operation is allegedly based in China and coordinates its activities through Telegram. Google said it is working closely with the FBI to disrupt the network and dismantle the infrastructure used to carry out the attacks.
The company alleges that the group distributes phishing kits that enable cybercriminals to launch large-scale text message campaigns designed to appear as though they originate from Google and other trusted brands. These campaigns are intended to trick users into revealing sensitive information.
As part of its investigation, Google said it has identified approximately 9,000 fake websites and more than 1 million fraudulent URLs linked to the alleged operation. The company stated that the network has already caused consumers losses amounting to millions of dollars.
Google also highlighted the scale of the activity, noting that Android users reported 55,000 spam text messages over a 2-week period in May. During the same timeframe, around 2.5 million messages containing links to websites generated by the Outsider Enterprise were sent to Android users.
The company described the operation as a significant phishing campaign that relies on infrastructure designed to impersonate legitimate organisations and trusted services.
Beyond legal action, Google said it is collaborating with telecommunications providers to prevent fraudulent messages from reaching users. The company is also working with telecom operators, including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, as part of broader efforts to combat phishing and online fraud.
In a statement cited by Google, FBI Cyber Division official Brett Leatherman said the individuals behind the Outsider Enterprise had built a business model around impersonating trusted brands to deceive large numbers of victims.
Leatherman further noted that cybercriminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence to make scams more convincing and harder to detect. He emphasized that cooperation between law enforcement agencies and private-sector organizations plays a critical role in disrupting cybercrime networks at scale.
Google said it will continue working with the FBI and industry partners while supporting federal legislation aimed at strengthening long-term protections against such threats.
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