Google has launched a lawsuit against a Chinese software developer linked to online fraud. The actions of this group have led to the theft of over $1 billion from more than a million victims across 121 countries, according to the Financial Times.

The hacker group in question is known for creating the Lighthouse platform, which offers cybercriminals access to phishing tools for a monthly fee, enabling large-scale fraud campaigns. These tools can create fake emails, SMS, and counterfeit websites, including clones of Google and YouTube, to extract sensitive user information.

Google aims to win the case under U.S. racketeering and computer fraud laws, which would allow the company to collaborate with mobile operators and hosting providers to block domains and servers supporting Lighthouse.

“Criminals exploit our brand’s trust and reputation to lure users into dangerous phishing schemes. It’s essential that we involve our engineers and lawyers directly in the fight for these users,” said Google’s Chief Legal Officer Halima DeLine Prado.

Lighthouse Enterprise promotes its services through online forums and channels on YouTube and Telegram. The hacker group also recruits and trains new members, using their skills to enhance their software. Inviting criminals can choose from hundreds of templates for fake sites and pay using cryptocurrency.

In addition to the tools, the perpetrators can access a list of potential victims from a “data group,” allowing them to send millions of fraudulent SMS messages linking to fake websites that require users to input personal and financial information. Stolen data is used to access bank accounts, emails, or digital wallets, or sold on the black market.

Google cites data from cybersecurity firm Silent Push, which indicates that the Chinese group Smishing Triad used the Lighthouse program to create 200,000 counterfeit websites, which received around 50,000 visits daily, jeopardizing millions of U.S. citizens' credit cards.