Bitcoin Forum

As I come from IM (Internet Marketing) field I’m not surprised to see google failing to stop such a scam right under it’s nose, but then again it’s not the first scam and it won’t be last one either which was executed on a google platform.

I’m currently referring to the scam which was targeted towards Uniswap customers, where an ad was created on google, and that ad was leading Uniswap customers to a clone Uniswap site.

Further that clone site asked users to input their seed, and I don’t need to tell you’ll what happens next when those users entered their seed details.

Lastly I hope that beginners and pros will learn from this and they’ll not let their guard down just because it’s a google ad, and hopefully they’ll always remember that google doesn’t verify these ads (for potential scams), as they’re paid to display them and revenue from ads is all that matters to them.

Source:

https://cointelegraph.com/news/google-ads-is-failing-to-protect-people-from-crypto-scams

Google is not filtering ads that comes along the way, they automate approving of those ads and these scammers are good in using keywords to manipulate where the ads are coming, I ignore those ads coming from popular sites like Coinmarketcap because scammers are very active in the game of deception, they are good in cloning sites and they are good in marketing them.

Those aren't detected by google that's why they looks like a legit link, ads, or offer.

We all know that google is very popular and that's why scammers used it as a tool to fool people with their sketchy ads.

They are using some effective marketing strategy to attract people and lure them. They are using "EASY MONEY", "FREE GIVEAWAYS", "DOUBLE YOUR COINS", and etc., so be aware with that Google Ads. Huge losses in an assets are not a joke, it is not that easy to grow your assets so if you can be aware and observe the platforms that you are using. Avoid clicking any links from google or any sites, and avoid downloading suspicious softwares.

Why do we even talk about clicking on Google Ads when there is such a simple option that we don't see them at all, and it's completely free? For me, anyone who uses a browser without AdBlock is someone who shouldn’t even use the Internet at all, because let’s be honest the thing is so simple that it’s not a problem to explain it to an 8-year-old within 15 minutes.

I'm just wondering how it's possible that there are so many unintelligent people on the Internet, so it's become a real paradise for scammers - money that literally falls from the sky and you don't even have to get up from a comfortable armchair...

Google never filter scam or phishing site unless there is no report. When you are going to do a financial deal then we have to be more careful. Why should we depend on Google ads? If you are using a site then bookmark it if you can't remember the site address. We are using smartphones and computers, so we should improve yourself as a smart guy as well. Scammer gets success due to our stupidity. Everyone knows about the most of scam methods, but likely we just ignore to learn.

Sadly these kinds of things come directly at the Google Ads where most people thought was a legit site since it was shown on at the top of the result when they search with the words ads by google. Unlike us, some people may think that the top result was really trusted just like what happened to me years ago. this time is a little bit serious since it might result to the huge loss of the victims if they didn't inform with this new scammer's trick. Thankfully we have people like you who always fast to share this prevention to avoid any losses from our companion who doesn't know this stuff.

Yes, to be honest, it seems that Google just readily accepts ads, and those scammers are known to hide and cloak those phishing sites. I also created thread about a fake [Scam]: Fake Uniswap wallet (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5268443.0).

there's been a huge scam . like fake uniswap site

I know there are some requirements in order to be able to participate in Google ads. I’m just not sure how the scams or clones of the legitimate sites are getting through their verification or something. I think as a user, what we could do is to report this type of links that are being displayed and then help get it taken down. And to be fast and sharing it in scam accusations bored so some people would be aware as well.

I don’t know what could happen to Google if they continue doing that. They should be stricter with their regulations or something.

Okay! since, you mentioned that you come from IM, you will know anyone can create an advertisement using the Google platform. There is nothing like a filter to distinguish that this advert can result in a scam.

Google depends on its community to report those adv that are leading to a scam website. Unless it is reported Google will continue running the advert.

Rather than asking others not to click adverts, you should have informed every one here how to report such scam adverts.  Incomplete information will niether help the community not those who run genuine business like me and are depend on Google ads clicks for revenue.

Nothing as I'm pretty sure they wash their hands about ads shown in their t&c.

Agree to everyone is saying as long as you pay to google you could easily put your website as an advertisement when they search for something.

This is one of the google mistakes not filtering harmful links or websites but I guess it is just all about money when it comes to ads like this, so just don't click ads from google.

We do not actually depend on the google ads. But we depend on the google search engine. And thus people get victims of these fake/phishing clone sites ads on google.

Until Google starts to filtering these fake/scam sites it's a very easy task for the scammer to scam people. Personally I don't like this. Google should more careful of it.

I dont think google will fix this nonsense away and try to be the best platform for user. It is much scarier if they let this happen out of control because it would be very detrimental to other. So far, reporting this fraudulent attempt to Google is still something to be done in every case finding. But should user do all this without Google own fixed ?

Allegedly, Google is enhancing the requirements for becoming and advertiser through Google Ads:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/23/business/media/google-advertising.html

This is meant to begin this summertime, but the rollout is at a slow pace, and geolocation based:
https://support.google.com/adspolicy/answer/9703665#900

The above link describes a procedure that may lead to the account being paused, after what looks like 60 days (30+30) if the KYC is not completed . I can’t tell if this is for currently existing accounts only, and whether newly created accounts will be required to provide the KYC documentation beforehand or not. An up-to 60 day KYC procedure seems to defeat the purpose for deterring scammers, so we’ll have to see how this comes out.

Reporting such type of adds is probably going to still be the most effective method for the community.

Another reasons why privacy when we do browsing or social media activities must be prioritized. Google will track your every activity. Wherever you are, that's where google ads will appear according to your previous browsing history. That's why, people should start thinking about using browsers or search engines that respect our privacy.

I remember reporting many scam ads but nothing happened. Some of them stil exist and haven't been removed.
To prevent this, Google can make those ads look different from search results. IRC, they were shown on the right side of the results page. Don't know why they made this stupid change.

The masses doesn't realizes these to be scam and that's the problem. Besides, running ads isn't out of place for Google. They need the traffic and it's what they are getting. The issues is, those clicking have no idea on what internet marketing and affiliate marketing is about. Hence, they sink their time, data and personal details in what would only harm them.

That's why I avoid searching on google if because there might ads that lead you from harmful links that or phishing links.

Just wonder tho if how many reports we can make before google considers the site as phishing or when they will remove?

We need to help each other by reporting the site if there is a phishing site to eliminate quickly. And might this article is worth it to read, Proven Ways To Stop AdWords Click Fraud. (https://www.onlinemarketinggurus.com.au/blog/click-fraud-adwords)

It looks like the scammers are getting smarter at the action. Too bad Google pays less attention to ad filters so scams like this still exist. If we already click on the ad, is there a surefire way to find out and distinguish between a scam and genuine website?

Yeah, I agree those who are into website business need those click to earn money from Google adsense but scam google advertisements are on the rise and people need to be made aware about such issues.

I’ve normally got my visual/mental anti-ad mode switched on, and skip all adds when searching on Google. Yesterday I was browsing fresh news on Bitcoin over the past 24 hours, and a Google Ad escaped my inbuilt filters. Probably the 50% discount caught my eye, and I decided to take a look at what was behind the Ad.

As expected, the Ad led to a fake Exchange, that announced itself in the Ad as being a place where you could buy Bitcoin (and some other crypto) at a 50% discount. That not being enough, the site went on to announce some outrageous weekly returns if you purchased a certain token.

Now stepping into the shoes of a complete novel person, searching the term "Bitcoin" on Google, and seeing on one of the first entries an Ad, offering 50% discount on Bitcoin, I get why some people may fall for it, not knowing yet the difference between Bitcoin and a T-shirt you can get these days at an online shopping store with a 50% discount, as a summer time deal.

Unfortunately google only cares about money these days. It's been a very long time since google was a decent search enginge. Now it's all about making money because they know they have the costumers on their side. Basically all major web browser direct you towards google as soon as you write something in the adress bar. Google knows it's place and is just milking the cash cow now.
Checking for genuine website can be very difficult, because even if you google for the website and check on review sites. The scammers are aware and may have already created tons of fake reviews to report their own scam site. I would recommend putting in the adress yourself and just save it with a bookmark for later. A little bit more work but atleast you can be sure you get to where you want to go.

I read the article you mentioned and viewed the @Bitboy_Crypto tweet, but I still didn't understand what clone the article was talking about. I hope that users have already submitted a report to this fake Uniswap site and it is already blocked. But I am sure that this will not stop scammers and in the near future we will see new Uniswap clones.

Google contains very large quantities of fraudulent ads that aim to hack or promote a fraudulent site, and I personally am among one of the people who have been exposed to a fraud because of these ads, as I lost $ 150 due to one of the fraudulent investment sites that Google promoted, so we must always pay attention and take Beware of these ads, and as I said, you will not be able to, and it is difficult for Google to stop these ads