Varanasi. A simple Google search for a hotel, bank, shop or customer care number turned into a financial nightmare for hundreds of residents in Varanasi. Over the past one year, at least 114 people in the city became victims of cyber fraud while searching contact numbers online, collectively losing nearly ₹1.50 crore to cyber criminals operating through fake websites, manipulated Google listings and fraudulent social media profiles.
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Fake Listings and Bogus Helplines Used to Trap Victims
According to cyber cell and police records, a fresh case linked to online number searches surfaced almost every third day in the city. Investigators found that cyber criminals also used edited screenshots showing transactions of just ₹1 to ₹5 to deceive victims and build trust before carrying out larger frauds. Authorities estimate that more than ₹10 lakh was siphoned off in the last two years through scams involving fake payment screenshots alone.
Officials said the figures represent only cases connected to online number searches, while the overall cyber fraud losses reported in the city run into several crores. The trend has raised serious concerns among investigators because most victims were educated and digitally active individuals rather than people unfamiliar with online services.
Police records show that doctors, professors, businessmen, private company employees and students were among the most common targets. Several women also fell prey to these scams. Cyber investigators believe educated users often trust online search results more easily and tend to engage with digital payment systems frequently, making them more vulnerable to sophisticated fraud techniques.
Doctors, Professors and Police Personnel Among Victims
Investigators said the fraudsters typically posed as bank officials, hotel managers, electricity department employees or customer support executives of reputed companies. Victims were contacted after dialing fake numbers listed online or shared through social media platforms. The scammers then convinced them to share OTPs, install screen-sharing applications, click remote-access links or complete fake verification procedures that allowed access to their bank accounts.
Several individual cases highlighted the scale and sophistication of the fraud network. In one incident, a police personnel posted at the Police Lines was allegedly duped of ₹30,000 after cyber criminals trapped him in a fake customer support conversation. A complaint was later registered in the Cantt police station. In another case, a professor residing in the Lanka area reportedly lost ₹44,000 while trying to search for an online service number. Fraudsters allegedly convinced him that they were genuine customer support representatives before stealing money from his account.
A separate case from Sigra police station limits involved a man who searched for the contact number of a reputed company online. Soon after making contact, cyber criminals allegedly manipulated him into transferring sensitive banking information, resulting in a loss of ₹88,000. Police and cyber cell officials are currently examining digital records, mobile communication trails and banking transactions linked to these incidents.
Women Targeted Through Online Earning and Investment Scams
Women were also targeted aggressively through online earning and investment scams. Police records indicate that nearly every fifth cyber fraud complaint involved women victims. Investigators found that fraudsters used Telegram groups and social media channels to lure women with promises of work-from-home income, online task rewards, investment bonuses and double-return schemes. Over the past two years, nearly 70 women were allegedly cheated of around ₹67 lakh through such fraudulent operations.
During investigations, police discovered that cyber criminals initially transferred small amounts or showed fake profits to gain victims’ confidence. Once trust was established, larger investments were demanded or malicious links were sent to victims. In many cases, scammers used fake cashback offers, reward points, free gift schemes and manipulated payment screenshots to appear authentic. Investigators said several victims unknowingly allowed malware or remote-access tools onto their phones after clicking suspicious links, enabling fraudsters to steal banking credentials and financial data.
