Fraudulent Google Listing Scams Couple Out of 10,671 Rupees at Mumbai Wine Shop
Updated
Updated · Rest of World · Jun 10
Fraudulent Google Listing Scams Couple Out of 10,671 Rupees at Mumbai Wine Shop
1 articles · Updated · Rest of World · Jun 10
Summary
10,671 rupees was transferred via Google Pay after Vijay called a phone number shown on Google for Seasons Wines and was told large orders now required prepayment.
A second demand for a 25,000-rupee liquor permit — or 1,000 rupees for a one-time permit — exposed the fraud when the caller refused pickup from the shop and then blocked them.
Seasons Wines told the couple the listed number was not theirs and said many customers had already complained; the store had posted a warning notice and said it was tired of reporting the issue to Google.
The case underscores how trust in Google search, Maps and payment links can lower users' guard, even as platforms run anti-fraud campaigns and reporting tools.
In India, more than 43,000 cybercrimes reported in January-March 2024 involved WhatsApp misuse, alongside 22,680 tied to Telegram and nearly 20,000 to Instagram.
As AI-powered scams perfectly mimic real businesses, can we still trust what we see on Google?
Should tech giants be legally responsible for financial losses from scams on their platforms?
In the AI arms race, can platform security ever truly defeat the scammers exploiting it?
Over 10,000 Indians Scammed in 2026: How Google Maps Wine Shop Frauds Are Costing Shoppers Lakhs
Overview
As of 2026, a sophisticated scam is targeting wine shoppers in India by exploiting Google Maps. Fraudsters create fake business listings or hijack real ones, adding fraudulent phone numbers. When customers search for a wine shop, they see a convincing business card with a call button linked to the scammer. Calling the number connects victims to people pretending to be shop employees, who then take large orders and demand prepayment. This scam leverages the trust users place in Google Maps, making it easy for criminals to deceive and defraud unsuspecting shoppers.