Google scam: Gmail, Google Calendar, Meet invites with phishing links used to deceive and defraud, cybersecurity experts warn
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Meet are all useful tools, but now cybercriminals are finding ways to mimic them.

The ABC7 I-Team is finding out how scammers are tricking people with fake calendar invites and meeting links.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

It’s not just another spam text or email. These are sophisticated phishing links that can be embedded into popular Google tools like Google Calendar and Google Meet, all designed to deceive and commit fraud.

As the most popular search platform, Google also provides services like email, calendar invites, and video calls. The I-Team has discovered that scammers are exploiting Google’s widespread use.

“We see a triple threat targeting Google users specifically through Google Meets invites and Google itself,” stated Chicagoan Gerald Kasulis with Nord Security.

Kasulis said cybersecurity experts have spotted the threats.

“Users receive fake calendar invites and those invites automatically accepted with the link in there, and then users prompt to click on that link for the calendar invites that would specifically outline the information to the cybercriminals,” Kasulis said.

There are also spoofed Google Meet invites.

“And that’s going to have an actually fake injected link in that’s link,” Kasulis said. “When you click in, you’re going to download malware that exposes your personal information (jump) And the last one is Google scams itself and where actually cybercriminals pretend to be Google support engineers that you get a problem to reset your Google account.”

You should never trust emails or links asking you to reset your account.

As for the other two scams, Google says users should enable the “Known Senders Setting” in Google Calendar, which limits or blocks invites from random people from populating in your calendar. This is automatically turned on for new consumer accounts.

Google says when it gets reports of malicious activity, it acts swiftly to shut it down. Google added that Google Meet was built with security and privacy in mind and has controls in place to prevent abuse. Google also said that “Gmail’s AI-powered defenses block 99.9% of spam, phishing, and malware before they reach users’ inboxes.”

“This is not Google’s fault,” Kasulis. “It’s just cybercriminals going after the platform that we trust.”

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Bullet in the cap, Fresno police share body cam of moment officer narrowly escapes a gunshot to the head

Heart-Stopping Moment: Fresno Officer Dodges Bullet to the Head – Body Cam Footage Revealed

Intense bodycam footage captures a harrowing moment in Fresno, where a police…
Gulf states condemn Iranian retaliatory strikes on their territories following US-Israeli operation

Gulf Nations Denounce Iranian Counterattacks on Their Lands After US-Israeli Operation

Tensions are escalating in the Middle East as Arab nations express strong…
Trump directs Tehran to 'lay down your arms' or face 'certain death' after US, Israel strikes as he appeals to protesters

Trump Warns Tehran: Disarm Now or Face Consequences After US-Israel Military Action Amidst Protests

President Trump issued a stern directive to Iran’s leadership, military, and police…
Tour guide arrested after drawing stick figure on 4,000-year-old pyramid

Tour Guide Detained for Sketching on Ancient Pyramid

An Egyptian tour guide has been taken into custody following allegations that…
Anti-US protesters funded by pro-China tycoon mobilize as first bombs fall on Iran

Pro-China Financier Backs Anti-US Demonstrations Amid Escalating Tensions in Iran

In the stillness of night, just moments before President Donald Trump revealed…
Pink in consideration to take over Kelly Clarkson’s talk show slot at NBC

Pink Poised to Shine: NBC Considers Pop Icon to Replace Kelly Clarkson’s Talk Show Slot

In a potential shake-up at NBC, the network is considering Pink as…
Multiple high-ranking Islamic commanders, regime officials killed in Operation Epic Fury: report

Operation Epic Fury: A Decisive Blow to High-Ranking Islamic Commanders and Regime Officials

A significant number of high-ranking commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,…
Gavin Newsom touts 'most ambitious water plan' in California

Gavin Newsom Unveils California’s Groundbreaking Water Strategy

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced what he describes as California’s “most ambitious”…
Virginia murder suspect in bus stop stabbing had lengthy criminal history, multiple dropped charges

Virginia Stabbing: Unveiling the Troubled Past of a Suspect with a History of Dropped Charges

A Virginia man, facing charges for the fatal stabbing of a woman…
Ex-MLB pitcher Dan Serafini gets life in prison for shooting in-laws in California home

Former MLB Pitcher Dan Serafini Sentenced to Life for California In-Law Shooting

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Dan Serafini has been sentenced to life…
New Illinois legislation proposal aimed at reforming how medical examiners ID bodies, notify family, ease legal action option

Illinois Introduces Groundbreaking Bill to Revamp Medical Examiner Procedures and Streamline Family Notifications

A new legislative proposal is making waves across Illinois, following an investigative…
San Francisco Dem group unleashes $10M to kill CEO tax

San Francisco Political Group Allocates $10M to Oppose Controversial CEO Tax Initiative

In a bold move, a prominent organization in San Francisco is deploying…