CASE FILE #12990

Google Ads Hacked – Microsoft Helpline 24/7 Support Desk HACK/SCAM

Filed 0 replies Scams

This was an interesting one! And I dare say this could have also cost my client a lot of money if we had not spotted it in time (and also if he hadn’t removed his payment info about a month prior to this happening) as he got his Google Ads Hacked!

T’was a Monday afternoon in 2026, and my inbox pinged due to the arrival of a fresh email.

Your account is now linked to a manager account Your account (--) is now linked to the following manager account: Repeat Digital 2 (930-038-1464). Users with access to the manager account can now view, edit and manage your account and its campaigns. Learn more about what manager account users can do in your linked accounts. This notification is sent for your review and if this is expected, there is no action needed from you. If needed, users with administrative access may unlink this account from the manager account (learn more). Only users with administrative access in this account, or access to a linked manager account that has administrative ownership of that account, can accept or reject an invitation, change access levels and remove users. Your admin users have also received this same notification. If you have any questions about this linking, reach out to nguyenthithuy1503980@gmail.com, which is the email address of the user who initiated the linking invitation. Thanks, The Google Ads Team This email was sent to update you about your Google Ads account. Google © 2026 Google LLC 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043

We had helped the client set his Google Ads up in the past, and he would have asked us to add someone in if he wanted an external agency as he is quite hands-off when it comes to his digital stuff – so we knew this was dodgy. Then, we got this one;

Your Google Ads account has been suspended Hi advertiser, Your Google Ads account, ‏was suspended for violating the unacceptable business practices policy. Suspended accounts cannot run ads in any location. Automated and human reviews are used to ensure that Google Ads policies are followed. Content that violates policies is blocked and advertisers can be suspended for repeated or egregious violations. More information Suspensions are permanent unless you successfully appeal. Review the best practices and tips. If you believe that there’s been an error, you can submit an appeal. You can also cancel your account. If you have a prepaid balance in your account, you might qualify to request a refund. Don’t create additional Google Ads accounts while you’re suspended, they’ll get suspended immediately. About unacceptable business practices Not allowed Scamming people by hiding or misrepresenting info about your business, products or services isn’t allowed. This means that you can’t: Make it seem like you’re affiliated with another brand, organisation or government entity when you’re not Offer products or services that you don't have or can't deliver, including not having the right licences or qualifications Lie about services that could put people's health or safety at risk, like pretending to provide medical help when you don't Impersonate other brands or businesses to get users to give you money or personal information Examples (non-exhaustive): Pretending to be a discount online retail shop to entice people into buying products and then not delivering the items that they paid for Pretending to be or be affiliated with a well-known charity to deceive people into thinking that they’re making donations Tricking people into believing that you're the official website for a new housing development so you can earn commission START APPEAL Be thorough, honest and accurate in your explanation. Note that this doesn’t guarantee that your appeal will be successful. It usually takes about five working days to review an appeal. If you’re located in the European Union, there are other redress options available. Thanks, The Google Ads Team This email was sent to update you about your Google Ads account. Google © 2026 Google LLC 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043

Google Ads Hacked!

The “hackers” managed to get a bunch of ads and campaigns and stuff created first!

Google Ads Hacked
Google Ads Hacked
Google Ads Hacked

And the ads were set to go here (its perfectly safe to click, just hilarious TBH!)

I believe its because you see it like this on mobile;

Google Ads Hacked

For those that cant tell, its a search page on the Microsoft Store searching for a string that shows at the top of the page – making it look like it MIGHT be a legit support message as its on a Microsoft domain, and it MIGHT trick 1 in 1000 people into thinking they should call the number and they believe it MIGHT be Microsoft.

Honestly, I’m actually a bit speechless. They managed to work out how to hack someone’s Ads account make a bunch of ads with like 10k per day budgets – to advertise a marketplace link with a dodgy number on. Its like they had someone with half a braincell initially and then they left and they got the apprentice scammer to finish the job off.

I havent called the number as It will be the same old crap, and there are entire YouTube channels that focus on that thing, I just like to analyse and dissect.

There is a great blog post here about how to reset your Google account and lock the bad guys out – this client could have avoided all this if they had 2FA enabled.

He has had other alerts about activity across other Google products linked to his email – so its a very important reminder that you need to enable Two Factor Authentication immediatly – on everything!

Stay scam wise, peeps!

Drop a witness statement

Email stays private. Be excellent to each other. Bots get binned.