Cyber fraudsters are preying on people by misusing Google Search. Through fake links, advertisements, and customer care numbers, scammers are stealing users' personal and banking details and siphoning money from accounts. The cyber security agency has advised people to beware of such traps.
Online Fraud: Google, the most widely used platform for searching information online, is now being utilized by cybercriminals as a tool for fraud. According to Cyber Dost, a cyber security campaign by the Ministry of Home Affairs, scammers are stealing OTPs and banking details from people through fake advertisements and counterfeit links. The risk escalates particularly when users search Google for customer care numbers or contact details of businesses. In such instances, the fraud can directly impact bank accounts.
How do Online Frauds work?
Cybercriminals deceive users by placing fake advertisements and links within Google search results. These advertisements appear attractive and, upon clicking, lead directly to malicious websites. From there, users' personal information, bank details, and even passwords can be stolen.
Similarly, people often search for customer care or a shop's number and end up calling fake numbers displayed on Google. As soon as the victim makes the call, the fraudsters initiate the scam process, which can lead to the withdrawal of funds from their bank accounts.
Focus on OTP and Banking Details Too
Cyber fraudsters obtain OTPs and banking details from users through fake websites. When people enter their information, mistaking them for legitimate sites, scammers exploit this to transfer money from accounts.
To facilitate this, fraudsters resort to black-hat SEO and paid advertisements. These techniques ensure their websites appear on the first page of Google search results, making it easier for people to fall into their traps.
