Google has filed a landmark federal lawsuit against a China-based cybercrime network accused of launching widespread text-message phishing attacks, known as “smishing,” targeting millions of Americans.
According to Google’s general counsel Halimah DeLaine Prado, the criminal group, known as “Lighthouse,” may have compromised between 15 million and 100 million credit cards and impacted over one million victims across the United States.
Google is filing a federal lawsuit against a network of foreign cybercriminals based in China that is accused of launching massive text-message phishing attacks, the tech giant told CBS News in an exclusive interview. https://t.co/AHWvpZDAGQ
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 12, 2025
The scam involved fake texts about “stuck packages” or “unpaid tolls” designed to steal sensitive personal and financial data.
Filed under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, the lawsuit marks Google’s first attempt to use anti-mafia laws against digital crime. The company says the move aims to deter future cybercriminals, not to recover funds.
Google lawsuit accuses China-based cybercriminals of massive text-message phishing scams https://t.co/Q7UbFfkABg
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) November 12, 2025
Cybersecurity experts told CBS News the case could reshape how global tech firms fight cross-border scams. Google has also identified over 100 fake websites using its logo in the attacks.
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