A convincing chatbot pretending to be Google’s AI assistant is now being used to pitch a fake cryptocurrency called “Google Coin,” according to cybersecurity researchers.
Researchers at Malwarebytes say scammers created a polished website that mimics Google’s branding and features a chatbot claiming to be part of Google Gemini. The chatbot walks visitors through an investment pitch and encourages them to send cryptocurrency payments.
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, does not have a cryptocurrency, and the entire setup appears designed to trick people into sending irreversible crypto payments.
According to Malwarebytes, the scam centers on a chatbot embedded on a fraudulent presale website. The chatbot uses visual cues associated with Google’s Gemini AI, including familiar branding and an “online” indicator, to make the interaction feel official.
Once visitors begin chatting, the bot launches into a detailed investment pitch and answers questions about potential profits. The chatbot cited a presale price of $3.95 per token and an expected listing price of $27.55, while encouraging users to ask more questions about how to participate.
A chatbot built to sell
During their analysis, Malwarebytes researchers found the chatbot stayed tightly locked into its scripted role.
The bot consistently claimed it was the official assistant for the project, while refusing to provide verifiable information about the company behind it. Questions about regulation, licensing, or registration were either avoided or redirected to vague claims about “security” and “transparency.”
When users pressed further, the bot reportedly redirected difficult questions to an unnamed “manager,” suggesting that human operators may step in if needed.
According to Malwarebytes, the chatbot also refused to acknowledge any possibility that the project might be fraudulent. It repeatedly returned to the same talking points, including a supposed “2026 roadmap,” “AI integration,” and “military-grade encryption.”
To boost credibility, the site also displays logos of major tech companies, including OpenAI, Coinbase, Binance, Squarespace, and SpaceX, under a “Trusted By Industry” banner. Malwarebytes says none of those companies are connected to the project.
Visitors who click “Buy” are taken to a fake wallet dashboard showing balances for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a fictional token running on a so-called “Google-Chain.” The purchase process then generates a Bitcoin payment request associated with a specific wallet address, so any funds sent are final.
Why the scam works
The scheme relies on two powerful psychological tricks: impersonating a trusted brand and using conversational AI to create a sense of legitimacy.
As people become accustomed to interacting with AI assistants, a chatbot that answers questions instantly can feel credible, even when it is part of a scam. But the underlying reality remains simple: there is no official Google cryptocurrency, and any money sent through the fake platform is unlikely to be recovered.
Warning signs to watch for
Malwarebytes warns that AI-powered scams like this are likely to become more common. The researchers recommend watching for several red flags:
- Chatbots claiming to represent major AI brands on unrelated websites
- Investment pitches promising specific returns or guaranteed profits
- Platforms that refuse to provide verifiable company or regulatory details
- Urgency tactics such as final presale stage or countdown timers
If a crypto project claims to be connected to a major company, experts say the safest step is to verify the claim directly on the company’s official website.
Meanwhile, if you’ve already sent funds, Malwarebytes recommends reporting it to local law enforcement, the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and the FBI’s IC3 at ic3.gov.
Also read: Google’s real AI tools are easier to verify when you know what they actually do, and this Google Gemini cheat sheet breaks down features, pricing, and setup.
