{"id":28034,"date":"2025-01-11T14:08:32","date_gmt":"2025-01-11T22:08:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spokeo.com\/compass\/?p=28034"},"modified":"2025-01-11T14:08:35","modified_gmt":"2025-01-11T22:08:35","slug":"google-chat-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spokeo.com\/compass\/google-chat-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Google Chat Scams"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In modern times we often associate pirates with fantastical stories about adventurous criminals of the sea, plundering ships and fighting for treasure.  While the idea of old-timey buccaneers sounds entertaining, modern-day pirates have traded in swashbuckling and ships for keyboards and the internet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cybercriminals have no shortage of methods to scam victims out of money and other assets, and with every new online platform, a dozen new scams pop up.  One of those platforms is Google Chat (previously known as Google Hangouts).  What was once intended to be used to collaborate and engage with coworkers or friends, has turned into a ripe ground for potential scams.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Google Chat Scams Work <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how Google Chat Scams typically unfold<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Engage Online<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like many other modern scams, Google Chat scams typically begin with a simple, seemingly innocent message, sent to you from a stranger.\u00a0 While sometimes you\u2019ll receive a message directly in Google Chat, oftentimes the scammer will reach out to you on some other platform like Facebook, Instagram<\/a>, Tinder<\/a>, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial message can vary based on what the scammers think is most effective, but the messages tend to start from either a romantic ploy<\/a> or a money-making \u201copportunity.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Move the Conversation to Google Chat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once the scammer thinks they have you at least partially hooked, they\u2019ll then suggest moving the conversation over to Google Chat, claiming that it is \u201cmore secure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Google Chat?  Well, there are a couple of reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Google Chat tends to have a better reputation for security compared to social media, so scammers attempt to use that to try and establish a false sense of trust and safety.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. By moving to Google Chat from other platforms, they save themselves the hassle of having to create new profiles on those platforms, as using a single profile to conduct mass scam attempts will quickly get flagged and banned.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Step 3: The Scam<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Once scammers have you on Google Chat, it\u2019s time for them to really get to work.  After a short period of casual conversation (generally about romance or business), the scammers will then begin to make their move on getting you to send them some money under the guise of a promise such as \u201cI need money to come visit you,\u201d or \u201cI guarantee if you send the money you\u2019ll get 10 times return on investment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sometimes scammers won\u2019t go directly to asking for money.  Instead, they\u2019ll use your conversation to gain access to personal information or private photos, which they then use as blackmail.  Alternatively, they can also attempt to send you links that once clicked on, infect your device with malware that can give the scammers access to everything on your computer, and potentially even allow them to remotely control your device (including access to your webcam and microphone).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Common Types of Google Chat Scams <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Romance Scams <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Using romance to scam people isn\u2019t new, yet these scams continue to be massively successful for scammers every year.\u00a0 These types of scams are usually done via catfishing<\/a>, where someone uses stolen pictures of someone attractive to dupe people on the internet into thinking they are in a relationship with the person in the pictures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These scams take a certain level of commitment by the scammer, and are typically done over a longer period of time.\u00a0 During this time, the scammer will engage with you as if you are in a relationship, and even do things like send small gifts to build trust and emotional connection.\u00a0 Once they know they have you hooked, the scam will shift to catphishing<\/em><\/a> and they\u2019ll use the fake relationship to get money, other goods, or even deeply personal or private information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Giveaway Scams <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Congratulations, you won!  What did you win?  A whole lot of headaches if you fall for a giveaway scam.  Giveaway scams aim to make you believe you won a giveaway in order for you to willingly give over far too much information.  These scams can also be used to steal money, and go something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n