Florida Woman Sues Google Over $5 Million Crypto Scam on Play Store
Maria Vaca, a Florida resident, is taking legal action against Google after falling victim to a crypto scam that allegedly cost her millions. The lawsuit, filed in California, claims that Vaca invested approximately $4.6 million in an app called Yobit Pro, which was available on the Google Play Store.
Initially, the app showed Vaca’s investments growing, with her balance reaching $7 million. However, when she tried to withdraw her funds, the app demanded additional “tax” payments. After making an initial extra payment of $500,000, the app requested another $2 million to release her funds. When Vaca refused to pay more, unidentified cybercriminals allegedly started threatening her life through messages on WhatsApp.
Realizing she had been scammed and fearing for her safety, Vaca contacted law enforcement and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Despite her complaint being forwarded to Google, it reportedly took the company three months to remove Yobit Pro from the Play Store.
Seeking at least $5 million in damages, Vaca argues that she downloaded the app because she trusted Google to keep scams off its platform. The lawsuit also claims that Vaca was not the only victim, with over 12,000 Android users downloading Yobit Pro and at least five others reporting similar experiences.
As the lawsuit progresses, it could have significant implications for how companies like Google are held responsible for the safety of the apps they host. This incident comes after another scam involving Google surfaced in June, where hackers used a Google Chrome plug-in to steal over a million dollars from a Binance account.
The case highlights the importance of vigilance and caution when investing in cryptocurrencies and using online platforms, as well as the need for companies to take swift action in protecting their users from fraudulent activities.
