United StatesNetskope found 250 Google ad campaigns running a fake-lock scam.
Users from 619 organisations clicked the ads, which ran on 284 legitimate sites.
The script fills the screen, hides the cursor and swallows exit keys, then urges a call to a fake support line.
Google says it blocked over 99% of violating ads last year and is investigating these.
Google has not said why its scanners missed the campaign or whether the ads are fully removed.
How each outlet framed it
- Ars Technica leans critical
- scam freezes screens, hides cursor, blocks exits across 250+ Google Ads campaigns on 284 sites; 619 organizations in 5 countries observed
Sources: Ars Technica