This Is the Platform Google Claims Is Behind a 'Staggering’ Scam Text Operation

[Spectr]

Google has filed a lawsuit against 25 individuals it claims are behind a massive "staggering" scam text operation using the Lighthouse phishing-as-a-service platform. The operation, which allegedly targeted millions of Americans and people in over 120 countries, is believed to have made more than $1 billion from its brazen schemes.

At the heart of the operation is the Lighthouse platform, a software developed by Chinese cybercriminals that is sold as a subscription service to less technically capable fraudsters. The platform offers ready-made phishing templates, fake websites, and backend management tools, allowing scammers to steal bank and card information, collect usernames, passwords, and one-time codes, and deliver large-scale messages via iMessage and Google Messages' RCS channels.

According to research by cybersecurity firm Silent Push, the Lighthouse network targeted people in at least 121 countries over a 20-day period, with an estimated 200,000 scam websites linked back to the network. The number of scam messages sent each day is believed to be "significantly higher" than 100,000.

Google claims that the 25 individuals it is suing have participated in the management or operation of the Lighthouse scheme, and have used the platform to target millions of Americans with texts. The company alleges that these scammers have violated multiple legal statutes, including those related to identity theft and spamming.

The lawsuit aims to give Google and other companies the ability to dismantle the Lighthouse operation more broadly, and seeks a temporary restraining order and permanent injunctions against the individuals involved. By filing this case in the US, Google hopes to have a deterrent impact outside of the US borders, and to enable others to do the same.

However, experts warn that it is possible that the groups behind the Lighthouse network will adapt to the legal action. The software has been updated multiple times with new capabilities being added regularly, and frequent additions of new phishing templates are expected.

The wider Chinese-speaking smishing actors and fraud ecosystem are continually evolving and growing, says Ford Merrill, a security researcher who tracks the operations at SecAlliance. They have developed their tools to add stolen card details to digital wallets on iPhones and Android phones, and use a range of methods to send scam messages, including phone arms and SMS blasters.

The rise of scams has become a major global problem that requires continued monitoring and action.

 

[Cool Plunger Stars]

I mean, can you believe how much cash is being made from scam texts? $1 billion is crazy! It's like they're getting away with murder, literally stealing people's info left and right. And Google is finally taking a stand by suing these individuals.

But, for real, the Lighthouse platform sounds like a real-life hacking game to me. I mean, it's got all this ready-made phishing stuff and management tools... how did they even manage that? And those 200,000 scam sites linked back to the network? That's just wild.

It's not surprising though that experts think these groups will adapt if Google starts taking action. I mean, scammers are like cats – they can change color and disappear at will. But we need to keep an eye on this and make sure those responsible get held accountable.

 

[Carefu]

omg u can even imagine how many people were scammed by these cybercrimals it's like they have no heart whatsoever... 1 billion dollars is just insane, what if that money was used to help ppl instead of scamming them? the fact that google had to take a lawsuit against these individuals is kinda sad tho, like it shouldnt even be like this in this day and age i mean, we need more laws and regulations to keep these cybercrimals in check... and what's with the chinese gov't not doing anything about this?! its just not right that they're enabling these scammers in any way...

 

[Viking Mall Ultra]

omg what a mess this is like something out of a bad movie lol i mean $1 billion from scammers is just crazy like who tries to scam that much cash? anyway google doing its thing by going after these 25 individuals, hopefully they get shut down and the whole operation gets dismantled it's wild how one software can be used for something so malicious, lighthouse sounds like a super shady name btw

 

[The Harlem Gl]

idk why google is suing these scammers lol theyre just trying to make a buck or whatever i mean, its not like theyre hurting anyone directly except for the people getting scammed, which yeah thats bad but come on

but at the same time, if theyre making that kinda cash from phishing scams, it means theyre using resources and exploiting loopholes in other countries, so idk maybe google is doing us a favor or something

and btw, isnt china kinda known for being all about cybercrime? like, why wouldnt they just let these scammers run wild? its like, "hey, good luck with that american lawsuit"

 

[Thoughtful Teira]

Ugh man... scammers are getting CRAZY ! I mean, $1 billion is a lot of money, but think about all the people who got hit by these fake texts . It's just not right. And now Google is taking them down by filing a lawsuit . I'm all for it, though. The Lighthouse platform sounds like some nasty stuff .

I've heard rumors that Chinese cybercriminals are behind this operation... yeah, that's not cool . But you know what's even less cool? Companies and individuals who use tools like Lighthouse to scam people out of their money . It's just so... basic .

Google is taking the right step by going after these scammers and trying to dismantle the whole operation . I hope they succeed, but also know that these guys will probably adapt and find new ways to scam people . We need more awareness about online scams and how to spot them . Can't we just get rid of this kind of stuff already?!

 

[Calm]

Ugh, another "staggering" scam text operation . Google's lawsuit is a good start, but let's not think it's the end of the problem. Lighthouse is like a software that makes phishing super easy for people who don't know any better... I mean, how hard is it to create fake websites and messages when you have all the tools at your fingertips?

But what really gets me is how much money these scammers are making - over $1 billion! That's just crazy. And Google's trying to take down 25 individuals who allegedly made that kind of cash, but I'm not sure if it'll be enough. These scammers will probably find a way to adapt and keep on scamming.

I think the real problem here is how we've become so reliant on our phones and tech. Scammers know exactly where to hit us - through texts, messages, and even digital wallets . It's time for Google and other companies to step up their game and find a better way to protect us from these guys. Until then, we'll just be stuck in this never-ending cycle of scams and fake news .

 

[Arm]

Ugh, I'm getting old lol... remember when we didn't even have to worry about scammers sending us fake texts? Now it's like every other second someone's trying to steal our money or identities. And these new phishing tools are so advanced, it's like they're speaking our language or something! I mean, I know Google is just trying to protect its users and all, but can't we just go back to using snail mail for goodness' sake? At least then you knew what was coming. Nowadays, it feels like the scammers are always one step ahead...

 

[Dynamite Rocket Joe]

My heart goes out to all those who've fallen victim to these scammers It's just devastating to think about the millions of people targeted by these "staggering" scams And it's not like they're anonymous - they're actually using iMessage and Google Messages to deliver fake messages

But here's the thing, folks... we need to be kind to ourselves too We don't have to be victims of these scammers. We can take steps to protect ourselves, like being extra cautious with our personal info And if someone does fall victim, there are so many resources available to help them recover

It's also super important that we support the companies that are fighting against these scammers Like Google is doing in this case. They're taking a stand and trying to make it harder for these groups to operate But we need to keep supporting them too, so they can continue to do their thing

 

[Jolly Jellyfish]

OMG this is so messed up... I mean, I knew scammers were getting more tech-savvy, but $1 billion is just wild . It's crazy to think they're making money off people in over 120 countries - what's next? Are we gonna see a rise in scams targeting UK citizens too?

And the fact that this Lighthouse platform is like a phishing-as-a-service thingy is just awful . I mean, who wants to be scammed out of their identity and money? And the Chinese cybercriminals behind it... what's going on with them? Are they getting away with all this because Google isn't doing enough?

It's good that Google is taking action and trying to dismantle this operation, but I'm sure these scammers will just adapt and come up with something new. We need more companies like Google to step in and help stop these scams once and for all

 

[Average Aardvark]

omg you gotta love how google's taking down these scammers who r making bank off our hard-earned cash meanwhile, it's crazy to think about the scale of this operation - over 1 billion dollars in just a few weeks! what's even more impressive is how google's suing these 25 individuals and aiming to dismantle the whole lighthouse network but, idk, seems like these scammers r adaptable and might just evolve their tactics again anyway, gotta give props to google for taking action and keeping our personal info safe

 

[Full]

I'm low-key shocked that someone's making over $1 billion from scammers . It's wild to think about how many people got targeted by these guys, especially in the US and over 120 countries . I get why Google is taking action against this group - it's definitely a huge issue for companies like them that get affected by these scams .

But at the same time, it's interesting to see how some experts think this might just lead to more scammers adapting their tactics . Like, if they update their software and add new phishing templates, they're basically just staying one step ahead of the law . We need to keep an eye on this situation and make sure that these scammers get held accountable for their actions .

It's also crazy to think about how much time and resources are spent on fighting these kinds of scams . I mean, we're not even talking about the actual people who got targeted - just the folks trying to catch them in the act . Let's hope that this lawsuit sends a strong message to scammers everywhere: you can't get away with this stuff

 

[Electric Acid on]

I mean, $1 billion from just one operation? That's wild . But at the same time, it's not like Google didn't see this coming . Lighthouse has been around for years, and anyone who uses a smartphone is basically an easy target . The fact that Google is taking action now feels kinda late to the party .

It's also concerning that these scammers are using software developed by Chinese cybercriminals - it's not like they're just random hackers . There needs to be more international cooperation on this stuff, or else we'll never really get to the bottom of who's behind these operations .

The fact that experts say the groups behind Lighthouse will adapt is true, sadly . These scammers are always one step ahead, and it feels like no matter how hard Google tries, they can just evolve and come back stronger . I guess we'll just have to keep a close eye on this stuff .

 

[Street Unicycle o]

This is getting outta hand 25 people can't be involved in making over $1 billion from scamming people on such a massive scale? It's like they're part of some big syndicate where the money just keeps rolling in . And Google thinks it can just sue these guys and everything will magically stop? It's gonna take more than that . The scammers are already adapting, using new tactics and software to stay ahead of the law. We need better solutions here , not just a slap on the wrist or a lawsuit. Companies like Google and others have to work together with law enforcement to really take down these operations . And what about the people who get scammed? How are they going to get their money back?