Google AI's Unsettling Blunder: Developer Loses Nearly Rs 10 Lakh to Sophisticated Online Scam

In a deeply concerning incident that highlights the evolving dangers of cybercrime, a prominent real estate developer from Delhi has lost a staggering Rs 9.87 lakh after inadvertently contacting a scammer whose number was seemingly endorsed by Google's artificial intelligence as a legitimate customer care helpline.

The victim, a 54-year-old real estate developer named Mr.

Singh, found himself entangled in this digital nightmare while simply attempting to pay an outstanding electricity bill. According to the filed FIR, Mr. Singh used Google's search engine to find the customer care number for BSES, his electricity provider. What Google's AI presented, however, was not the official helpline, but a fraudulent contact number belonging to a cybercriminal.

Upon calling the displayed number, Mr.

Singh was connected to an individual posing as a BSES executive. The imposter, employing cunning social engineering tactics, convinced Mr. Singh that there was an issue with his electricity bill and that he needed to download the 'AnyDesk' remote access application to resolve it. Trusting the seemingly legitimate Google search result, Mr.

Singh complied, unknowingly granting the scammer direct access to his mobile device.

Once access was established, the fraudster instructed Mr. Singh to make a small 'test' transaction of Rs 10 to confirm the payment system. This seemingly innocuous step was merely a ruse. Within moments of this initial transaction, the scammer initiated a series of unauthorized transfers from Mr.

Singh's bank account, siphoning off a colossal Rs 9.87 lakh in multiple deductions before the unsuspecting developer could realize the gravity of the situation.

The shocking discovery prompted Mr. Singh to immediately file a complaint with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police. An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.

Furthermore, the police have taken a significant step by serving a notice to Google, demanding an explanation for how a scammer's number was prioritized and displayed as a legitimate customer care contact by its advanced AI algorithms.

This disturbing incident serves as a stark reminder of the escalating sophistication of online scams and raises critical questions about the responsibility of digital platforms in verifying the information they present.

As AI-driven search results become increasingly prevalent, the onus on companies like Google to ensure the accuracy and safety of the information provided to users becomes paramount. For individuals, this case underscores the vital importance of extreme vigilance and cross-referencing information from official sources before engaging with any online contacts or downloading unfamiliar applications.