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India has directed Google to take down hundreds of accounts on its Firebase web development platform, citing a pattern of criminal misuse. Government notices and sources familiar with the matter indicate that scammers have been exploiting Firebase to impersonate major banks and defraud individuals. This action highlights India's ongoing struggle with online scams, which resulted in nearly $2.4 billion in alleged cyber fraud losses for Indians in 2025, according to government data.

Indian officials observed a trend of scammers utilizing Google's Firebase, a tool used by millions globally for app and website development. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) specifically ordered the removal of at least 57 websites and databases hosted on Firebase in August alone. These were reportedly used to distribute malware and steal sensitive financial information from victims' phones. The notices sent to Google did not suggest any responsibility on Google's or Firebase's part, but Google could face liability for listed sites if takedown requests are not met within three hours.

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Android-based malware programs are masquerading as legitimate banking services, specifically targeting Android users with credit cards. Scammers lure victims by promoting offers such as new credit cards, reward redemptions, or credit limit upgrades.

According to an August 17 notice, Android-based malware programs disguised as legitimate banking services were targeting users with credit cards, luring them with offers for new cards or credit limit upgrades. A source indicated that dozens of notices concerning Firebase have been sent to Google in recent months. Alphabet-owned Google responded by stating its commitment to strict policies against phishing, malware, and financial fraud, and affirmed its cooperation with law enforcement agencies like I4C.

Scam operators have reportedly been migrating to Firebase from other free tools since last year, attracted by its generous free options and advanced database features. This migration is occurring as India's digital payments ecosystem experiences rapid growth, with nearly 242 billion digital transactions processed in the year to March 2026. Reuters reviewed three government notices sent by I4C to Google in August, which were accessed through the Lumen database.

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strict policies prohibiting the ⁠use of our services for phishing, malware, or financial fraud