Google Faces Lawsuit After $5M in Crypto Stolen via Play Store App

Google is facing a $5 million lawsuit from Maria Vaca, who alleges that a cryptocurrency wallet app she downloaded from the Play Store was fraudulent and led to the theft of her digital assets. Vaca claims that the app, which appeared legitimate, resulted in significant losses after she trusted it to manage her cryptocurrency.

The lawsuit, filed in a California state court, accuses Google of negligence for allowing the dangerous app to be available on its platform. Vaca points out that Google did not safeguard its users from fraudulent applications; this is a common problem concerning malware applications in the Play Store.

Vaca’s Lawsuit Against Google Highlights Ongoing Crypto Fraud Challenges

It is not the first time that fraudsters have used the Google Play Store as a marketplace for their fraudulent projects. Back in April 2024, it was Google that had gone on to sue several crypto apps and exchanges that had defrauded more than a hundred thousand consumers across the world. These apps allegedly ‘used fake accounts and fake information’ to avoid Google’s security measures. Consequently, it shows that unsafe apps remain a threat in the cryptocurrency markets.

Vaca’s case could be resolved depending on their knowledge of Google and how long it was used to offer fake products to its consumers. As stated by Andrew Dressel, a renowned crypto litigator, the success of the case will depend on the ability to demonstrate that Google has sufficient knowledge about the problems with the app and its approach to such threats.

Vaca’s attorney, Chris Vernon, noted that this particular case is just one of many cases of crypto theft, pointing to the need for improved app monitoring and the global regulation of the use of cryptocurrencies.

With the growth of the digital economy, the obligations of large technology companies such as Google for the safety of users’ property have become paramount. This case could set a precedent for both technologies and cryptocurrencies, raising important questions about the protection of digital assets on major platforms.