Scammers are becoming more cunning, and Google’s latest report reveals their methods.
As individuals prepare for seasonal sales and year-end job hunting, a fresh surge of online deception is targeting them. A recent advisory from Google outlines how these criminals are operating at present.
The advisory mentions that scammers are refining their tactics by utilizing AI tools to make their schemes appear alarmingly convincing. From counterfeit job postings to harmful VPN applications, the scams are rapidly increasing, preying on anyone who drops their vigilance online.
Google points out fraudulent job offers as a significant trend. Scammers impersonate major companies by replicating their career pages, pretending to be recruiters, and advertising fake government positions. Google warns that they frequently demand “processing fees” or lure individuals into downloading counterfeit interview software that extracts personal information. Keep in mind, authentic employers will never ask for money or banking information prior to employment.
Business operators are not exempt from these threats either. A newer scam gaining traction involves “review extortion,” where attackers inundate a business with negative one-star reviews and subsequently demand payment to remove them. Google offers a straightforward method for merchants to report these extortion attempts directly from their profiles.
AI impersonation scams are increasing in prevalence. Fraudsters are creating websites and applications that claim to be “exclusive” or “free” versions of well-known AI tools. The ultimate goal remains unchanged — installing malware, stealing credentials, or promoting overpriced “fleeceware” subscriptions. Google asserts that its AI-driven Safe Browsing and Play Store policies are identifying many of these threats; however, users are still advised to verify URLs and only download from legitimate sources.
Additional cautions include malicious VPN applications masquerading as privacy tools but actually filled with malware, fraud recovery scams targeting victims who have already been deceived, and holiday shopping scams that escalate during Black Friday and Cyber Monday with phony storefronts and “too-good-to-be-true” offers.
Google’s Trust & Safety team highlights that scammers are becoming faster, smarter, and more prevalent, but protective measures are also advancing. With real-time scam detection in Google Messages and Gmail, along with enhanced AI-driven browser protections, the company aims to safeguard users before they fall victim.
