Ravie LakshmananJun 12, 2026Cybercrime / Artificial Intelligence
Google on Friday said it's pursuing legal action against a Chinese cybercrime network, accusing it of using its Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) agent to send phishing text messages targeting Americans.
The network is said to be behind the development and management of a phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) software kit called Outsider, per the tech giant.
"The operation weaponized Gemini to help generate fraudulent phishing pages and deploy massive SMS phishing ('smishing') attacks, often through text messages impersonating legitimate brands, alerting recipients of 'brokerage account issues' or insisting they are eligible for 'rewards through their mobile phone carrier,'" Google said.
"The texts prompt users to click a link leading to a fraudulent website that mimics trusted institutions to steal personal and financial information."
