Google filed a lawsuit Friday against Outsider Enterprise, an alleged Chinese cybercrime network, for using the company's Gemini AI to automate fraudulent text messaging campaigns targeting hundreds of thousands of U.S. victims. The defendants allegedly used Gemini AI to generate code and templates for fake websites mimicking legitimate telecom portals, according to court documents. The FBI said the operation deployed more than 8,000 phishing websites across dozens of countries and stole an estimated 3.87 million credit card numbers, contributing to roughly $1.9 billion in losses since July 2023.
Google Alleges Gemini AI Misuse in Phishing Campaign
Google filed the lawsuit in New York federal court against Outsider Enterprise for allegedly using Gemini AI to power fraudulent campaigns. The defendants allegedly sent 2.5 million scam messages and created 8,000 phishing websites targeting financial accounts, according to court documents.
Google received approximately 55,000 reports of suspicious messages on Google Messages in the two-week period ending June 1, many allegedly connected to Outsider Enterprise. The phishing sites allegedly targeted various financial accounts, including cryptocurrency wallets and exchange credentials.
FBI Reports 3.87 Million Credit Card Numbers Stolen Since July 2023
The FBI estimates the operation stole 3.87 million credit card numbers and caused $1.9 billion in losses since July 2023. The bureau received 1,008,597 total internet crime complaints in 2025, with crypto-related complaints accounting for 181,565 reports and $11 billion in losses—the highest of any category.
For the first time in its nearly 25-year history, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center dedicated a section to artificial intelligence scams, which generated 22,364 complaints and cost Americans nearly $893 million.
FBI Launched Operation Level Up in 2024
The FBI's Operation Level Up, launched in 2024, has notified over 8,000 cryptocurrency fraud victims and prevented more than $500 million in potential losses. The Google lawsuit represents a watershed moment in attempting to hold bad actors accountable for weaponizing AI tools against financial systems.
FAQ
What did Google accuse Outsider Enterprise of doing?
Google filed a lawsuit Friday against Outsider Enterprise for allegedly using Gemini AI to automate fraudulent text messaging campaigns targeting hundreds of thousands of U.S. victims. The defendants allegedly used Gemini AI to generate code and templates for fake websites mimicking legitimate telecom portals, sent 2.5 million scam messages, and created 8,000 phishing websites targeting financial accounts.
How much money did the FBI estimate was lost to this operation?
The FBI estimates the operation stole 3.87 million credit card numbers and caused $1.9 billion in losses since July 2023. Google received approximately 55,000 reports of suspicious messages on Google Messages in the two-week period ending June 1, many allegedly connected to Outsider Enterprise.
How many AI scam complaints did the FBI receive in 2025?
For the first time in its nearly 25-year history, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center dedicated a section to artificial intelligence scams, which generated 22,364 complaints and cost Americans nearly $893 million in 2025. The FBI received 1,008,597 total internet crime complaints in 2025, with crypto-related complaints accounting for 181,565 reports and $11 billion in losses.
