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Google recently filed a lawsuit against an online scammer that used the company’s services to launch an online ‘puppy fraud’ scheme. Google says the scammers have violated the company’s terms of service.
Scams come in many forms, and anyone may one day fall into the scammer’s trap. You may one day receive a phone call from someone claiming to be calling from the IRS and asking for your personal information. Also, sometimes buying a puppy results in an online scam.
According to The Verge, Google has accused Nche Noel of Cameroon of running an online ‘puppy fraud’ scheme. Google claims that the Nche Noel of Cameroon has used a network of fake websites, Google Voice phone numbers, and Gmail accounts to scam older people who just wanted to buy a puppy.
For example, one victim paid $700 in electronic gift cards to Noel and expected to receive a puppy. Then the scammer told the victim that the delivery company needed an additional $1,500. This way, they played with the victims and asked for more money. Finally, no puppy was delivered even after paying that additional $1,500.
The scam mostly targeted elderly people
Google’s senior counsel Mike Trinh elaborated on the issue in a blog post, saying, “The actor used a network of fraudulent websites that claimed to sell basset hound puppies — with alluring photos and fake customer testimonials — in order to take advantage of people during the pandemic.”
Trinh also said that the “scam disproportionately targeted older Americans, who can be more vulnerable to cyberattacks.”
Noel has used Google services to communicate with victims, but this is not the only accusation Google has made against them. Google claims that Noel has launched a Google Ads campaign to promote the fraudulent websites.
According to Google’s lawsuit, the AARP, an elderly issues group, notified the company about the scams last September. Then, the AARP detailed the puppy fraud scams in a report. As per the AARP report, scammers targeted isolated and elderly people who just wanted companionship during the COVID-19 pandemic.