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Alphabet‘s Google on Friday sued a Los Angeles man and his corporations in San Jose, California federal court docket, claiming he created a whole lot of faux enterprise listings on its platforms and bought them to actual companies to lure in unsuspecting clients.
Pretend critiques have been a recurring downside on web commerce websites. Google mentioned in an announcement that it filed the lawsuit in opposition to Ethan QiQi Hu to “assist put an finish to these kind of malicious schemes.”
Hu didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Google’s lawsuit mentioned Hu creates sham companies that seem in its search engine and Google Maps, utilizing an “elaborate set of props” to confirm them on video calls with the tech large’s brokers.
The lawsuit mentioned Hu retains a instrument bench as a prop to confirm fraudulent listings for storage restore, tree slicing and plumbing, and important oils for verifying pretend aromatherapy and reiki remedy companies.
Google mentioned Hu buys 1000’s of faux constructive critiques to make the companies seem legit. He then allegedly sells the profiles as “leads” to actual companies in the identical fields, which obtain contacts from potential clients who attain out to the pretend companies.
Google mentioned Hu created greater than 350 false profiles bolstered by over 14,000 illegitimate critiques.
The lawsuit accused Hu of false promoting, illegal enterprise practices and violating Google’s phrases of service. Google requested the court docket for an unspecified amount of cash damages and an order to dam Hu’s alleged misconduct.
The case is Google LLC vs Hu, US District Court docket of the Northern District of California, No. 5:23-cv-02964.
© Thomson Reuters 2023
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