Fake Google listing in Chitale Bandhu's name on Bajirao Road used to cheat customers in Pune

Cyber fraudsters used the name and photographs of the Bajirao Road branch of Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale to create a fake listing on Google and extract money from customers. The shop's official landline number had been removed from the listing and replaced with the fraudsters' mobile number.

The fraudsters allegedly posed as employees of the shop. They took online payments from customers who ordered sweets and savouries, but never delivered the goods.

According to the complaint, the company learnt of the fake listing on 23 October. Nitin Abhimanyu Dalvi, personal secretary to Indraneel Chitale, one of the partners of Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale, noticed a listing on Google carrying photographs of the Bajirao Road branch but showing a wrong mobile number.

It is alleged that customers who found the shop online and called that number believed they were speaking to representatives of the well-known shop. The fraudsters reportedly spoke to customers in Hindi, took orders for sweets and savouries and asked them to pay online. Nothing was sent afterwards.

When customers tried to call again to ask about their orders, the fraudsters blocked their mobile numbers.

Dalvi said the company had learnt that several customers had made payments to the fake number. The company then approached the police and also contacted Google about the fake listing. The listing was removed from the platform after the complaint.

Vishrambaug police registered a case on 6 November and began an investigation to trace the accused and the mobile number used in the fraud.

This is not the first time a well-known Pune food business has been targeted through a fake online listing. In December 2023, cyber fraudsters allegedly impersonated Kayani Bakery in Pune Camp and created a fake website and Google listing. Customers who placed orders through those fake platforms were cheated.

The latest case shows how cyber criminals exploit business information listed on Google and the online identity of established local brands to deceive customers. Police have asked people to verify the contact number on the company's official website or a verified platform before placing orders and making advance payments.