In an unprecedented move, the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have named the head of Google India as a co-accused in three alleged cyber fraud cases involving fake stock market investment applications. Police said the complainants claimed they trusted the apps because they were available on the Google Play Store. Based on the complaints, cases have been registered against the alleged fraudsters as well as the Google India head under provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to police, the three complainants allegedly lost approximately ₹24 lakh, ₹17 lakh, and ₹7 lakh, respectively, after investing through fraudulent stock market applications. The victims claimed they would not have downloaded the applications had they not been available on Google’s official app marketplace. Authorities have also issued notices directing Google to remove the allegedly fraudulent applications.
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police said that under Section 79(3) of the Information Technology Act, an intermediary may lose its safe harbour protection if, after receiving knowledge of unlawful content or applications, it fails to remove or disable access to them within the applicable legal framework. Officials said any further legal action against Google would depend on its response and the findings of the ongoing investigation.
In the first case, a 69-year-old complainant alleged that he came across an investment advertisement on social media and was later contacted through WhatsApp. He was persuaded to download an investment application that was claimed to be licensed by a foreign financial regulator. Between May and June 2026, he allegedly transferred ₹24.37 lakh into multiple bank accounts before discovering that he could not withdraw his funds.
In the second case, a 40-year-old government employee alleged that fraudsters contacted him via WhatsApp, promising stock market, IPO, and AI-based investment opportunities. He claimed he was instructed to download an investment application from the Google Play Store and transferred more than ₹17 lakh, including funds borrowed through personal loans, between May and June 2026. Although the application displayed substantial profits, he alleged that additional payments were repeatedly demanded before any withdrawal could be processed.
The third complaint was filed by a 71-year-old retired government employee, who alleged that he lost ₹7 lakh after investing through another purported stock market application downloaded from the Google Play Store. According to the complaint, two individuals who contacted him through WhatsApp persuaded him to invest using the application. Police have named both the alleged fraudsters and the Google India head as co-accused in this case as well.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting official app stores, social media advertisements, and messaging platforms to create a false sense of legitimacy. He advised users not to assume that an application’s availability on an official app marketplace guarantees its authenticity. Investors should independently verify regulatory registrations, company credentials, licensing information, and the official website before installing any financial or investment application.
Police have registered the cases under Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, along with provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to cheating, personation, and forgery. Investigators are examining bank accounts, digital transaction trails, server logs, application development records, and other electronic evidence. Authorities said the investigation will also determine the legal responsibilities, if any, of parties involved in the hosting, publication, and distribution of the alleged fraudulent applications. As of now, Google India has not issued a detailed public response to the cases.
