1 week ago
India Urges Google to Remove Bank-Impersonating Firebase Pages
The Indian government found online pages that pretended to belong to banks.
These pages were hosted using Google’s Firebase service.
Scammers allegedly used fake reward offers and credit-card upgrades to trick people.
Some pages allegedly collected card details and one-time passwords.
The government asked Google to remove the accounts and pages.
Google said its rules prohibit phishing, malware and financial fraud.
It also said it works with Indian authorities on these complaints.
The Reserve Bank of India has introduced additional payment-security measures.
Eligible victims of some small-value frauds may receive compensation of up to Rs 25,000.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre reportedly asked Google to remove Firebase accounts impersonating banks and financial institutions.
Investigators flagged 57 Firebase pages and databases, including seven phishing sites mimicking State Bank of India, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank.
The sites allegedly used fake reward-point redemptions and credit-card limit upgrades to defraud users.
Some pages allegedly collected stolen information, including credit-card details and one-time passwords.
Government data says India lost nearly Rs 22,500 crore to digital and cyber fraud in 2025 and close to Rs 52,000 crore over five years.
- Who
- The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, under India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, asked Google to act against the flagged pages.
- What
- The government reportedly requested the removal of Firebase accounts and pages allegedly used to impersonate banks and conduct phishing-related fraud.
- Where
- The pages were hosted through Google’s Firebase platform, and the government action was reported from New Delhi, India.
- When
- The reports did not specify when the notices were issued; the cited loss figures cover 2025 and the preceding five years.
- Why
- Investigators found pages and databases mimicking bank websites and Android apps that allegedly defrauded users and collected financial information.
Government and Investigators
Google’s Response
Removal of flagged pages
Government and Investigators
The government reportedly asked Google to remove Firebase accounts after investigators identified bank-impersonation, phishing and alleged data-collection activity.
Google’s Response
Google said it evaluates and acts on government notices according to its standard procedures and applicable laws.
Platform responsibility
Government and Investigators
The notices are part of a broader regulatory effort to reduce digital-payment fraud and protect users’ financial information.
Google’s Response
Google said its policies strictly prohibit phishing, malware and financial fraud, and that it works with Indian authorities including I4C.
Key facts
- Agency issuing notices
- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Platform involved
- Firebase, a Google Cloud platform for developing and hosting apps and websites
- Pages flagged
- 57 Firebase pages and databases, including seven identified as phishing pages
- Banks impersonated
- State Bank of India, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank
- Reported 2025 losses
- Nearly Rs 22,500 crore in digital and cyber fraud, according to government data
- Five-year reported losses
- Close to Rs 52,000 crore
- Potential compensation
- Eligible victims of certain small-value fraudulent transactions may receive a one-time payment of up to Rs 25,000 after losing up to Rs 50,000, subject to conditions
Quotes
Google spokesperson
Representative responding to the Indian government’s notices
“We are deeply committed to user safety and work closely with law enforcement and government agencies in India, including I4C. To that end, we evaluate and action all government notices according to our standard procedures and applicable laws.”
rediff.com
freepressjournal.in
thehansindia.com
Sources
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