• Google sues Yunfeng Sun and Hongnam Cheung for allegedly scamming over 100,000 users globally through fraudulent cryptocurrency apps on Google Play.
• The lawsuit accuses the individuals of making misrepresentations to Google to upload the apps, promising false returns to users who were unable to withdraw their investments.
• Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google’s general counsel, emphasizes the company’s commitment to combatting crypto fraud and protecting users, citing over a billion dollars in cryptocurrency scams in the U.S. in 2023.
• The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $75,000 and a permanent injunction to prevent the defendants from creating Google accounts or accessing Google services.

Google has taken legal action against two Chinese nationals, Yunfeng Sun and Hongnam Cheung, for allegedly orchestrating a large-scale cryptocurrency scam via the Google Play store. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, accuses the individuals of deceiving users worldwide and marks a significant step in Google’s efforts to tackle fraudulent activities within its platform.

Allegations of Fraudulent Scheme

Google alleges that Yunfeng Sun and Hongnam Cheung have been operating a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme since at least 2019. By leveraging the Google Play store, they purportedly deceived over 100,000 users globally, enticing them to invest in fraudulent apps with false promises of returns.

Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google’s general counsel, highlights the company’s proactive stance against such illicit activities. With cryptocurrency fraud on the rise, Google sees this lawsuit as an opportunity to protect its users and set a precedent for future wrongdoers. The company seeks not only damages but also a permanent injunction to prevent the defendants from accessing Google services in the future.

The lawsuit details the deceptive tactics employed by Sun, Cheung, and their associates, including sending text messages, posting promotional videos on social media, and running affiliate marketing campaigns. Victims were led to believe in the legitimacy of the apps, only to find themselves unable to retrieve their investments or profits.

Continued Efforts Against Crypto Fraud

Despite Google’s actions to remove fraudulent apps, scammers persisted by creating new ones using various identities and network infrastructure. The lawsuit underscores the challenges posed by such actors and Google’s commitment to combating crypto fraud through legal means.