Google Faces $5M Lawsuit Over Cryptocurrency Theft via Yobit Pro on Play Store

Google is facing a significant legal challenge after a Florida resident, Maria Vaca, filed a $5 million lawsuit against the tech giant. The lawsuit, lodged in a California state court, centers on claims that a fraudulent cryptocurrency wallet app, Yobit Pro, downloaded from the Google Play Store, resulted in the theft of Vaca's digital assets. The case raises crucial questions about Google's responsibility for app security and its delayed response in removing the malicious app from its platform, which allegedly led to further financial losses for other users. This legal battle could have far-reaching implications for platform providers and their role in protecting users from cyber threats.

Google is being sued for $5 million after Maria Vaca, a Florida resident, claimed that the Yobit Pro app on the Google Play Store stole her cryptocurrency. The lawsuit criticizes Google's delayed response in removing the app, raising broader concerns about platform security and the protection of users from fraudulent activities. If you are interested in other platform scams similar to this one then go to the Platform Scams section of this site.

• Defendant: Google
• Plaintiff: Maria Vaca
• Crime: Cryptocurrency theft due to a malicious app, Yobit Pro, available on the Google Play Store.
• Amount Defrauded: $5 million
• Method: The Yobit Pro app was marketed as a legitimate cryptocurrency wallet on the Play Store but was used to defraud users, including Maria Vaca.
• Legal Claims: Negligence and failure to protect users by allowing a fraudulent app to remain available on the platform, despite complaints.
• Key Incident: Vaca reported the scam, but it took Google three months to remove the app, during which time other users were also defrauded.
• Investigation: The case is being heard in a California state court.

Between February and July 2023, Maria Vaca invested approximately $4.6 million into Yobit Pro, a cryptocurrency wallet app she downloaded from the Google Play Store. When she attempted to withdraw her funds, amounting to $7 million, the app blocked her withdrawal unless she paid $500,000 in "taxes." After making this payment, Vaca was asked for an additional $2 million, which raised her suspicions. Upon refusal, she received death threats, prompting her to report the scam to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Despite the report, Google took three months to remove the app, during which time at least five other users fell victim to the same scam. Vaca then filed a $5 million lawsuit against Google, accusing the company of negligence and delayed response.

Google is facing a $5 million lawsuit from Florida resident Maria Vaca, who alleges that a fraudulent app, Yobit Pro, downloaded from the Google Play Store led to the theft of her cryptocurrency. The lawsuit highlights Google's failure to promptly remove the app despite reports of its malicious nature, leading to further victimization of other users. The case raises important questions about the responsibility of digital platforms in ensuring the security of their users and the effectiveness of their app vetting processes. If Google is found liable, the case could have significant implications for how tech companies manage and secure their platforms.