Budapest, November 17, 2025 — The Hungarian authority has opened an investigation against Google to determine whether the search engine giant failed to properly verify phishing ads on its Google Ads platform, allowing fraudulent MBH Bank–imitating websites to appear as paid results at the top of search pages.
According to the authority, Google likely did not exercise the professional diligence required since 15 March 2025, when operating its ad platform, failing to detect and block dangerous phishing domains despite clear indications of misuse. As a result, fake banking sites such as mbhbank.nu, mhbbauk.com and mhhbunk.com were displayed in premium ad positions when users searched for terms such as “MBH Bank login” or “MBH netbank,” ahead of MBH Bank’s official website.
The authority states that this commercial practice was likely capable of misleading consumers into making harmful transactional decisions, potentially exposing them to credential theft and financial loss. The conduct is suspected of breaching rules prohibiting unfair commercial practices.
The initiation of proceedings does not mean an infringement has been established. The investigation seeks to clarify the facts within a three-month statutory timeframe, extendable twice by up to two months. Periods during which the authority awaits Google’s responses to information requests do not count toward the deadline.
Online and cyber fraud pose one of the most serious risks to Hungarian consumers and businesses. Data from the Central Bank of Hungary show that phishing and online fraud caused more than HUF 30 billion in damages in 2024.
