Google shuts down text scammers’ cloud server in major win
▼ Summary
– Google filed a lawsuit to end text scams targeting Americans, and the criminal network behind them was disrupted the next day.
– The phishing gang’s cloud server was blocked due to malicious complaints, as announced by their leader on Telegram.
– The Lighthouse enterprise, a criminal group in China, helps over 2,500 members coordinate phishing attacks causing over a billion dollars in losses.
– Google alleges the group sells phishing kits that enable massive campaigns, harming millions of Americans by impersonating US institutions and brands.
– Google’s lawsuit aims to dismantle the enterprise, and the company views the shutdown of Lighthouse’s operations as a significant victory.
In a significant move against cybercrime, Google has successfully disrupted a major text scam operation by shutting down the cloud server used by a criminal network known as the “Lighthouse enterprise.” This action came swiftly after the tech giant filed a lawsuit aimed at dismantling the group’s activities, which have primarily targeted American citizens. A spokesperson for Google confirmed that the disruption occurred just one day after legal proceedings began, effectively hampering the scammers’ ability to carry out further attacks.
Messages posted by the alleged ringleader on a Telegram channel revealed that their server was “blocked due to malicious complaints.” The channel, which Google’s lawsuit identifies as a coordination hub for more than 2,500 members, has been instrumental in orchestrating phishing schemes responsible for financial losses exceeding one billion dollars. In a desperate attempt to reassure associates, the leader promised, “We will restore it as soon as possible!”
According to Google’s allegations, the Lighthouse enterprise operates as a criminal organization based in China, specializing in the sale of user-friendly phishing kits. These “phishing for dummies” packages enable individuals with minimal technical expertise to launch extensive phishing campaigns. Millions of Americans have reportedly fallen victim to these scams, where perpetrators frequently impersonate trusted U.S. institutions such as the Postal Service and widely recognized brands like E-ZPass.
The lawsuit filed by Google seeks to completely dismantle the Lighthouse criminal enterprise, and the recent server shutdown marks a critical step toward that goal. Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google’s General Counsel, emphasized the broader impact of this development, stating that “this shutdown of Lighthouse’s operations is a win for everyone.” The disruption has already caused Lighthouse-associated online communities to go offline, signaling a major setback for the group’s illicit activities.
(Source: Ars Technica)
