Hyderabad: Senior IPS officer VC Sajjanar warned the public about rising search engine fraud, stating that cybercriminals are manipulating online rankings to deceive users into visiting fake websites.
He said many people assume that websites appearing at the top of search results or marked as “Sponsored” are trustworthy. However, he cautioned that high visibility does not guarantee authenticity. Instead, fraudsters are using paid advertisements and advanced search engine optimization techniques to push fraudulent websites higher in search results.
According to Sajjanar, scammers often impersonate government portals, banks, and well-known brands. Typically, the fraud begins when users search for customer care numbers, payment services, or official websites. The criminals then redirect victims to phishing pages designed to look like genuine platforms.
How search engine fraud targets online users
He explained that once users land on these fake websites, they are prompted to share personal information, login credentials, or payment details. As a result, victims face financial loss and possible identity theft.
Sajjanar urged users to remain vigilant and verify website URLs carefully before entering any sensitive information. He stressed that people should not rely solely on search rankings or “Sponsored” labels as proof of legitimacy. Instead, users should type the correct web address directly or access official platforms through trusted sources.
He also advised that in cases of suspected search engine fraud, victims should immediately report the matter to the national cybercrime helpline at 1930. Prompt reporting, he said, can help authorities prevent further damage.
