Google says a scam network made thousands of fake businesses on Google Maps to collect and sell user data

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

• Google is suing a man it says was part of a scam network creating fake businesses on Google Maps.
• The network allegedly collected and sold the personal data of users who contacted those businesses.
• It's an example of a 'lead generation" scam, according to the lawsuit.

Google is suing a Maryland man it says made fake business listings on Google Maps.