In short
A search for a bank/merchant helpline surfaces a fraudulent number or page The objective is typically to steal credentials or induce payments while impersonating support.
What it is
The result appears to be official customer support. The victim is then pushed to call the number and follow instructions involving OTP, payment, QR or remote access.
How it starts
A search for a bank/merchant helpline surfaces a fraudulent number or page.
What they tell you
The result appears to be official customer support
What they want you to do
Call the number and follow instructions involving OTP, payment, QR or remote access
How you lose money
steal credentials or induce payments while impersonating support
What happens next
After the first successful step, the fraudster may demand more money/information, deepen account or device access, or disappear.
Warning signs
trust | urgency | authority | search manipulation | support impersonation
Where this is documented
India — officially documented by an Indian authority/regulator
How to avoid it
Type the merchant/service website yourself or use a trusted app; verify contact details independently and avoid off-platform advance payments to unverified parties.
If it already happened
Contact the bank/payment provider immediately if money moved; report financial cyber fraud promptly via 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in; preserve messages, transaction IDs, phone numbers and URLs.