India has asked Google to remove hundreds of accounts on its Firebase platform after authorities found that cybercriminals were using the service to run online scams and steal users’ financial information.

According to a Reuters report yesterday, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) identified at least 57 websites and databases hosted on Firebase that were allegedly being used for phishing, malware distribution and financial fraud. The authorities sent notices to Google in August.

Some of the websites were designed to look like the official websites of major banks, including State Bank of India, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank. Scammers were also found using fake apps linked to government schemes such as PM-KISAN to target users.

The fake apps and websites could collect sensitive information, including banking and other financial details. Some malicious apps were also capable of gaining extensive access to victims’ Android devices.

Firebase is a legitimate Google platform used by developers to build and host apps and websites. However, authorities found that cybercriminals were misusing the platform to support fraudulent activities.The government has asked Google to take down such fraudulent content as part of its efforts to tackle online financial scams in India.