Hyderabad man loses Rs. 1.6L after searching for washing machine repair online
Hyderabad: A 77-year-old retired government employee in Hyderabad became the target of a cyber fraud after calling a number he found on Google for washing machine repairs on May 10, 2025.
The victim searched online for a mobile number to arrange a repair for his washing machine. He called the number, 073396 35404, and spoke to a technician who explained the repair process and sent him a link.
The elderly man, unfamiliar with the link, did not open the file. However, within hours, his phone was compromised, and his personal data was accessed by the fraudsters.
Two days later, on May 12, 2025, the victim visited his Bank of Baroda branch and discovered that an amount of Rs. 1,68,650 had been debited from his account without his consent. He immediately reported the incident to the bank, which then blocked the account to prevent further unauthorized transactions. The victim also filed an online complaint to seek assistance.
Authorities have issued a public advisory urging citizens, especially senior citizens, to be cautious of fake helplines and fraudulent repair service listings online. Fraudsters are increasingly using search engines like Google to target vulnerable individuals.
Public Advisory:
- Avoid calling unknown numbers found through Google search without verification.
- Do not click on suspicious links or download files sent by unknown contacts.
- Consult with family members before making any online transactions or engaging with unfamiliar service providers.
- Never share banking credentials, OTPs, PINs, or grant remote access to anyone.
- Use only verified service providers or company-authorized websites and apps.
- Secure your phone and banking apps with strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
Victims of cybercrime are encouraged to report incidents at www.cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930. For emergency assistance, individuals can contact or WhatsApp at 8712665171.
