Alphabet’s Google on Friday sued a Los Angeles man and his firms in San Jose, California federal court docket, claiming he created lots of of pretend enterprise listings on its platforms and offered them to actual companies to lure in unsuspecting prospects.
Fake evaluations have been a recurring drawback on web commerce websites. Google stated in a press release that it filed the lawsuit in opposition to Ethan QiQi Hu to “help put an end to these types of malicious schemes.”
Hu didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Google’s lawsuit stated 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 stated Hu retains a software bench as a prop to confirm fraudulent listings for storage restore, tree chopping and plumbing, and important oils for verifying faux aromatherapy and reiki remedy companies.
Google stated Hu buys 1000’s of pretend constructive evaluations to make the companies seem professional. He then allegedly sells the profiles as “leads” to actual companies in the identical fields, which obtain contacts from potential prospects who attain out to the faux companies.
Google stated Hu created greater than 350 false profiles bolstered by over 14,000 illegitimate evaluations.
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 sum of money damages and an order to dam Hu’s alleged misconduct.
The case is Google LLC v. Hu, U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California, No. 5:23-cv-02964.
For Google: Whitty Somvichian of Cooley
For Hu: lawyer data not obtainable
© Thomson Reuters 2023
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