Mountain View: Google has issued a strong warning about the escalating threat of AI-driven scams that are becoming increasingly convincing and widespread.
In its latest advisory, the tech giant revealed that cybercriminals are leveraging generative artificial intelligence to create fake job postings, cloned business websites, and counterfeit apps that closely imitate legitimate platforms.
With the holiday shopping season and year-end job searches underway, Google cautioned that both individuals and businesses face heightened risks from these advanced digital frauds, urging users to exercise extra caution online.
According to Google’s Trust & Safety team, scammers are now using AI tools to replicate official branding, duplicate corporate websites, and fabricate recruiter profiles.
One of the most prevalent scams involves fake job listings that impersonate reputable companies or government agencies, tricking applicants into sharing personal data or paying bogus ‘processing fees.’
Some schemes even distribute malicious ‘interview software’ that secretly harvests sensitive information. Google reminded users that genuine employers never request payments or financial details during hiring processes.
Businesses, too, are being targeted through what Google calls ‘review extortion.’ In this tactic, attackers post large numbers of one-star reviews to damage a company’s reputation and then demand money to remove them.
To combat this, Google has introduced a new feature enabling merchants to report extortion attempts directly from their business profiles, ensuring faster intervention and better protection.
The advisory also highlighted the rising number of AI impersonation scams. Fraudsters are developing deceptive websites and applications that mimic well-known AI tools, advertising ‘exclusive’ or ‘free’ access to lure users.
Such platforms often install malware, steal login credentials, or trick users into subscribing to costly ‘fleeceware.’ Similarly, certain VPN apps posing as privacy protectors have been found to contain hidden malware capable of compromising devices.
To counter these threats, Google said it is bolstering security through AI-powered Safe Browsing systems, tighter Play Store policies, and enhanced real-time scam detection in Gmail and Google Messages.
However, the company urged users to remain vigilant, especially during high-traffic shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, by verifying web addresses, avoiding unofficial app downloads, and steering clear of offers that appear unusually generous.
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