2 hrs ago
Google Faces Probe Over 500,000 Fake Gmail Accounts
Police in Gujarat, India, found a large group of fake Gmail accounts.
They say the accounts were used to send false bomb threats.
The network reportedly had 513,847 usernames and passwords.
Police arrested two people in connection with it.
The investigation began after a threat was sent on September 10.
That message came shortly before a BRICS meeting in New Delhi.
Police want to ask Google how so many accounts used security protections.
Google had not commented when the report was published.
Gujarat police arrested two people linked to a network of 513,847 Gmail accounts and passwords.
The accounts were allegedly used since 2022 to send bomb threats to government offices.
A September 10 threat targeted India and countries cooperating during the BRICS summit.
Police said the threats were false and one suspect contacted a Bangladesh-based buyer.
Authorities plan to question Google about safeguards and may formally designate it as an investigation subject.
- Who
- Gujarat police, Google, and two arrested suspects are central to the investigation.
- What
- Police uncovered 513,847 Gmail accounts and passwords allegedly used to send false bomb threats.
- Where
- The investigation is being conducted in Gujarat, India; the threats targeted Indian government offices and countries cooperating with India.
- When
- The accounts were reportedly used since 2022; the investigation began after a September 10 threat, and arrests were announced this week.
- Why
- Police are investigating the criminal network and seeking stronger safeguards to prevent Gmail protections from being bypassed.
Key facts
- Accounts uncovered
- 513,847 Gmail IDs and passwords
- Network activity
- Reportedly active since 2022
- Arrests
- Two people arrested by Gujarat police
- Triggering threat
- An email received by the Gujarat government on September 10
- Intended targets
- Government offices and countries cooperating with India during the BRICS summit
- Police action against Google
- Authorities plan to question Google and may formally designate it as an investigation subject
- Google response
- Google had not immediately responded to a request for comment
Quotes
Vivek Bheda
Senior cybercrime official of the Gujarat police
“We will write to Google, ask them to make some policy changes so (safeguards) cannot be bypassed”
deccanchronicle.com
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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