---
title: Google Sues China-Based Scammers Behind Massive Text Phishing Operation
description: Google sues Chinese cybercriminals using RICO Act for massive text-message phishing network affecting millions in the U.S.
canonical_url: https://codekeeper.co/ticker/google-sues-chinese-phishing-network
---

# Google Sues China-Based Scammers Behind Massive Text Phishing Operation

Google sues Chinese cybercriminals using RICO Act for massive text-message phishing network affecting millions in the U.S.

![Content Team](https://codekeeper.co/hubfs/_sized/Codekeeper_21_beeldmerkL-800.png)

By Content Team Nov 13, 2025

Share [![Share on facebook](https://codekeeper.co/hubfs/Codekeeper%202025/Icons/Blog%20-%20Facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcodekeeper.co%2Fticker%2Fgoogle-sues-chinese-phishing-network%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://codekeeper.co/hubfs/Codekeeper%202025/Icons/Blog%20-%20Linkedin.svg)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcodekeeper.co%2Fticker%2Fgoogle-sues-chinese-phishing-network%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://codekeeper.co/hubfs/Codekeeper%202025/Icons/Blog%20-%20X.svg)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fcodekeeper.co%2Fticker%2Fgoogle-sues-chinese-phishing-network%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcodekeeper.co%2Fticker%2Fgoogle-sues-chinese-phishing-network%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on email](https://codekeeper.co/hubfs/Codekeeper%202025/Icons/Blog%20-%20Mail.svg)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fcodekeeper.co%2Fticker%2Fgoogle-sues-chinese-phishing-network%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fcodekeeper.co%2Fticker%2Fgoogle-sues-chinese-phishing-network%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ![Copy link](https://codekeeper.co/hubfs/Codekeeper%202025/Icons/Blog%20-%20Copy.svg)

ON THIS PAGE

### Want more insights like this?

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest software protection strategies delivered to your inbox.

By submitting your email, you consent to Codekeeper contacting you and agree to our [privacy policy](https://codekeeper.co/privacy-policy) .

Google filed a federal lawsuit against Chinese cybercriminals running "Lighthouse," a massive text-message phishing network that compromised 15-100 million credit cards and affected over one million victims in the U.S. The scammers sent fake texts about "stuck packages" or "unpaid tolls" to steal passwords and credit card information. Google's general counsel Halimah DeLaine Prado said they're using the RICO Act—typically reserved for organized crime—to target 25 unknown operators who built a "phishing-as-a-service" platform. The lawsuit aims to deter future criminals rather than recover victim losses. While prosecuting overseas scammers is challenging, experts say it could disrupt similar operations and prevent these individuals from traveling to the U.S. **Source:** [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/google-lawsuit-text-message-phishing-attacks/)

Share this article [![Share on facebook](https://codekeeper.co/hubfs/Codekeeper%202025/Icons/Blog%20-%20Facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcodekeeper.co%2Fticker%2Fgoogle-sues-chinese-phishing-network%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://codekeeper.co/hubfs/Codekeeper%202025/Icons/Blog%20-%20Linkedin.svg)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcodekeeper.co%2Fticker%2Fgoogle-sues-chinese-phishing-network%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://codekeeper.co/hubfs/Codekeeper%202025/Icons/Blog%20-%20X.svg)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fcodekeeper.co%2Fticker%2Fgoogle-sues-chinese-phishing-network%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcodekeeper.co%2Fticker%2Fgoogle-sues-chinese-phishing-network%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on email](https://codekeeper.co/hubfs/Codekeeper%202025/Icons/Blog%20-%20Mail.svg)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fcodekeeper.co%2Fticker%2Fgoogle-sues-chinese-phishing-network%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fcodekeeper.co%2Fticker%2Fgoogle-sues-chinese-phishing-network%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ![Copy link](https://codekeeper.co/hubfs/Codekeeper%202025/Icons/Blog%20-%20Copy.svg)

![blog_book_a_demo_cta_3x](https://codekeeper.co/hubfs/_sized/Codekeeper%202025/blog_book_a_demo_cta_3x-768x512.webp)

Have questions about protecting your software?

Our escrow experts are standing by to help.

[Book a free demo](https://codekeeper.co/book-a-demo)

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

[Vulnerabilities Unpatched Steam Flaw Gives Local Windows Users SYSTEM Access Sep 18, 2026](https://codekeeper.co/ticker/steam-zero-day-escalation-risk)

[Software security Apple Patches Actively Exploited Zero-Day in CoreGraphics Sep 29, 2026](https://codekeeper.co/ticker/apple-emergency-updates-fix-zero-day-flaw)

[Phishing Scam Poses as Big Brands to Steal Google Credentials from Marketing Pros Aug 12, 2026](https://codekeeper.co/ticker/phishing-campaign-targets-marketers-via-brands)

[Cyberattacks Citrix NetScaler Zero-Day Leaves Freshly Patched Appliances Exposed Oct 5, 2026](https://codekeeper.co/ticker/citrix-netscaler-zero-day-patch-cve-2026-88779)