Google has deleted over 50 Firebase-hosted websites and apps in India following authorities’ reports of criminal groups using the platform to create fake banking sites and steal sensitive financial data, highlighting ongoing challenges in online fraud mitigation.
Google has removed a batch of Firebase accounts and associated websites after Indian authorities said criminals were using the service to build fake banking platforms. The sites and apps were designed to imitate government and private banks, with fraudsters allegedly luring users through promises such as credit card reward points and higher credit limits.
India’s Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, or I4C, alerted Google to the suspected network, according to reports from Indian media. The platforms were said to have been hosted on Firebase, Google’s app development service, and were allegedly built to capture login details, card data and other sensitive financial information from unsuspecting customers.
Reuters earlier reported on the broader misuse of Firebase and Google’s cloud tools in online fraud, helping bring wider attention to the problem. In this case, Indian authorities said at least 57 websites and databases hosted on Firebase were removed in August alone, while officials also described the operation as part of a larger pattern in which scammers used the service to impersonate banks and target victims, including Android users.
A Google spokesperson said the company prohibits phishing, malware and financial fraud on its platforms and works with law enforcement agencies, including I4C, to review notices and take action where violations are found. The crackdown comes as cyber and digital fraud continue to inflict heavy losses in India, with government data cited by Punjab Newsline putting losses at nearly Rs 52,000 crore over the past five years and roughly Rs 22,500 crore in 2025 alone.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
