Google has recently filed a lawsuit against two individuals accused of orchestrating a cryptocurrency scam through the Google Play store. This legal action, taken in the Southern District of New York, targets Yunfeng Sun and Hongnam Cheung, alleged masterminds behind a scheme that reportedly deceived over 100,000 global users. The tech giant’s initiative reflects its commitment to combating fraudulent activities and protecting its user base from nefarious actors in the digital space.
The lawsuit details the operations of Sun and Cheung, who are said to have been active since at least 2019. They allegedly utilized Google Play to launch fraudulent cryptocurrency investment apps, skillfully designed to appear legitimate. Users were shown fabricated account balances and returns, only to find that they couldn’t withdraw their supposed investments or profits. This ploy, according to Google, caused significant financial harm to many.
The intricacies of their approach included varied strategies to ensnare victims. Court documents reveal the use of Google Voice to send deceptive text messages in the U.S. and Canada, along with promotional content on YouTube and other social platforms. These efforts were augmented by affiliate marketing campaigns incentivizing new sign-ups. Notably, the texts often feigned mistaken identities, gradually evolving into ‘friendships’ or ‘romantic attachments’ to gain trust.
Upon identifying the fraudulent activities, Google removed the apps from its Play store. However, the defendants allegedly countered by creating new apps and employing different network infrastructures and accounts to evade detection. Google’s lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $75,000 and a permanent injunction, aiming to bar the defendants and their associates from creating Google accounts or accessing any Google services in the future.
This legal action by Google not only aims to penalize the alleged scammers but also serves as a stern warning against similar fraudulent schemes. It underscores the tech giant’s proactive stance in utilizing its resources to combat cybercrime and establish a safer digital environment for its users. This case could potentially set a precedent in the ongoing battle against digital fraud, particularly in the realm of cryptocurrency.
