Cybercriminals are leveraging Google Search to deceive users. People’s reliance on Google for online searches is being exploited for fraudulent activities. Cyber Dost, the cyber security awareness initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs, is issuing warnings about the growing threat of Google-based scams.
Modus Operandi:
* Fraudulent Websites: Scammers use advertisements to direct users to malicious websites. These ads lure users into clicking links that lead to dangerous content.
* Fake Contact Numbers: Scammers post fake customer care numbers and other contact details on Google Search. Users who call these numbers become victims of fraud.
* Data Theft: Scammers use fake websites to steal OTPs and banking details.
How Scammers Gain Top Rankings:
Scammers utilize paid advertising and Black-Hat SEO techniques to ensure their fraudulent websites appear at the top of Google Search results, increasing the likelihood of users falling for their schemes.
Cyber Dost provides guidelines on how to avoid falling victim to these scams:
* Always use official websites and apps.
* Obtain customer care numbers only from official bank websites.
* Carefully check the URL of any website before clicking a link. Be wary of suspicious URLs.
* Never share personal or banking details with unknown individuals via WhatsApp or phone calls.