A woman in Indore was allegedly duped of ₹1 lakh after searching Google for a phone number to book a doctor's appointment at Bombay Hospital. The caller reportedly posed as an appointment assistant and sent her a link to complete the booking process.The woman clicked the link, following which money was withdrawn from her bank account. She immediately reported the incident to the cybercrime helpline and portal, allowing the Indore Crime Branch to initiate action and recover the entire amount.The case highlights a growing risk for people who rely on search-engine results to find contact numbers for hospitals and other services.

Woman searched Google for hospital contact

The woman wanted to consult Dr Rathi at Bombay Hospital and searched online for an appointment contact number.She found a mobile number through the search and called it. The person on the other end allegedly introduced himself as a hospital appointment assistant and offered to help her book a consultation.The caller then sent her a link, reportedly claiming it was required to complete the appointment process.

Clicking the link led to financial loss

According to the complaint, the woman clicked the link. Soon afterwards, ₹1 lakh was transferred from her bank account.The exact technical method used to gain access to the account and the role of the link are being examined. At this stage, the incident should be treated as an alleged cyber fraud rather than assuming that the link itself directly enabled the account access.

Quick complaint helped recover the money

The woman reported the transaction without delay through the cybercrime reporting system. The Indore Crime Branch's cyber team contacted the concerned bank and initiated the process to secure the funds.The police subsequently succeeded in getting the entire ₹1 lakh returned to the woman, according to the information provided in the case.Indore Police has repeatedly advised people to report financial cyber fraud immediately through 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, as quick reporting can help authorities place holds on transactions and prevent further movement of the money.

Do not blindly trust numbers found on Google

The case has also prompted a warning about using search engines to find official contact details.The district administration's official Bombay Hospital listing gives the hospital's contact number as 0731-2558866 and links to the hospital's official website. The hospital's own appointment system alsoprovides an online booking facility.People looking to book a medical appointment should therefore verify contact details through the hospital's official website, verified app or another trusted source rather than relying solely on a phone number displayed in search results.Police have also advised people not to click unfamiliar links, install applications or grant device permissions at the request of an unknown caller. OTPs, UPI PINs, passwords and other banking credentials should never be shared with anyone.If money has already been lost in an online fraud, the safest response is to call 1930 immediately and file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.