Hyderabad: Fake websites are increasingly topping search engine results and deceiving users, Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar warned.
In a post on X, Sajjanar said fraudsters are exploiting search engine rankings to mislead online users. Many people assume that websites appearing at the top or marked as “Sponsored” are genuine. However, he cautioned that high visibility does not guarantee legitimacy.
Cybercriminals are using paid advertisements and advanced search engine optimisation techniques to push fake websites to the top. In many cases, they impersonate government portals, banks and well-known brands.
Fake websites use ads and SEO to trap users
Sajjanar explained that the fraud often begins when users search for customer care numbers, payment services or official portals. Scammers create phishing sites that closely resemble genuine platforms and promote them through online advertisements.
Because these fraudulent pages rank high in search results, users are more likely to click on them. Once victims land on the fake site, scammers prompt them to share personal details, login credentials or make payments. Consequently, victims suffer financial loss and risk identity theft.
The Commissioner urged users to remain cautious and verify website URLs carefully before entering any personal or financial information. Moreover, he advised people not to rely solely on search rankings or “Sponsored” labels. Instead, users should type official web addresses directly or access them through trusted sources.
He also appealed to citizens to report suspected cyber fraud immediately to the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 to prevent further damage.