Lawsuit claims gift card fraud is the gift that keeps on giving, to Google

A class action filed in the Northern District of California alleges Google knowingly benefited from Google Play gift card scams by keeping its 15–30% commissions or withholding full amounts paid with fraudulently obtained cards, while providing inadequate warnings and discouraging refunds. Citing FTC data showing $433.5M in gift card fraud losses (2018–Sep 2021) and significant involvement of Google Play, the complaint argues Google has sufficient information to restore victims’ funds but fails to do so; the case parallels earlier litigation involving Apple, and Google has not commented.