The federal government has requested Google to take down a number of Firebase net improvement accounts impersonating the web sites and cell apps of distinguished public- and private-sector banks and different monetary establishments, based on sources.
The notices, despatched by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) beneath the Ministry of Dwelling Affairs, stated the web sites and databases have been impersonating the Android apps of main banks to defraud customers via ways equivalent to reward-point redemption gives and bank card restrict upgrades.
Firebase, a part of Google’s Cloud enterprise, is a platform used to develop and host cell apps and web sites. In line with a Reuters report, seven of the 57 web sites and databases sought to be eliminated have been phishing pages mimicking banks, together with State Financial institution of India, ICICI Financial institution and Axis Financial institution. The others have been web sites created to gather knowledge stolen from victims’ telephones, together with bank card particulars and one-time passwords (OTPs).
Responding to the federal government discover, a Google spokesperson stated the corporate had “strict insurance policies” prohibiting using its providers for “phishing, malware, or monetary fraud”.
“We’re deeply dedicated to consumer security and work intently with legislation enforcement and authorities companies in India, together with I4C. To that finish, we consider and motion all authorities notices based on our commonplace procedures and relevant legal guidelines,” the spokesperson stated.
During the last 5 years, the nation has misplaced near ₹52,000 crore to cyber fraud. The quantum of losses attributable to digital and cyber fraud swelled to just about ₹22,500 crore in 2025 alone, with as many as 2.8 million cyber fraud complaints being lodged throughout the yr, based on authorities knowledge.
Earlier this yr, the Reserve Financial institution of India (RBI) launched a compensation mechanism for small-value fraudulent digital banking transactions, with a one-time fee of as much as ₹25,000 for eligible victims who misplaced as much as ₹50,000.
The Firebase notices come amid a broader regulatory push to curb digital-payment fraud. The RBI’s fraud-prevention measures broadly cowl three areas.
The primary is authentication and system safety. The Further Issue of Authentication (AFA) requirement for digital funds, largely met via SMS-based OTPs, is being widened to permit various authentication strategies. The RBI’s digital-payment safety instructions prescribe minimal requirements to guard buyer and fee knowledge. The “.financial institution.in” area is meant to assist clients determine real financial institution web sites, whereas “.fin.in” is deliberate for different financial-sector entities.
The second space is buyer safety. Below the RBI’s framework, clients can have zero or restricted legal responsibility for unauthorised digital transactions, relying on the circumstances and the way rapidly they report them. The RBI has additionally launched a compensation mechanism for small-value fraudulent digital banking transactions, beneath which eligible clients can obtain compensation of as much as ₹25,000, topic to the prescribed circumstances.
