Google says it is committed to user safety, and nudges users to have an eye for attention to detail to detect and stay away from cybercrimes. Google has billions of users accessing various services it offers. Such a monumental user base also attracts scammers, who target these users to steal digital accounts and money in different ways.

Google has always deployed multiple measures, and introduced different tools, to combat these online scams. The company recently shared crucial insights to help users secure and protect themselves against online frauds and scams.

Deepfake-powered impersonation scams

Google recommended users pay attention to videos and audios of public figures. At first, they might look and sound very genuine, however, there is a high possibility that they are deepfake content generated using easy-to-access Artificial Intelligence (AI). Scammers use such content to spread propaganda during elections and to lure people into investment-related frauds.Google suggested users look out for unnatural expressions in the content, as even the most sophisticated deepfake generator can mess up the face, a clear first indicator of synthetic content.

Crypto investment schemes

Received an email or a message with a guaranteed high percentage return on a crypto investment? It is most likely an investment scam. There are no genuine plans or investment schemes that can assure you of multiplying your money in a short time. In this case, if an offer or deal is too good to be true, it’s possibly a scam.

Be aware of cloned apps and websites

Many scammers fake frequently-used apps and websites––like banking apps and websites––to steal personal information. These fake portals may look identical to the original and might even have new features you always wished for.

Landing page cloaking

This is an advanced scam, where a cybercriminal might present different content to the user from what it shows to Google. A landing page of a website might mimic well-known sites, luring users to submit their details, such as login ID and other credentials. This will then be used to gain control of those accounts, potentially leading to the loss of money.

One way to identify such websites is to closely look at the URL and also ensure the URL remains the same as it redirects to another page. Enabling protection on Google Chrome can also help you identify such websites.

Exploitation of major events

It’s a common practice for brands to set up micro web pages for major events, and scammers are now looking at this as an opportunity. They mirror such web pages ahead of major sporting events and concerts, easily selling fake merchandise, passes/tickets, and even collect donations.