Sheikh Mohsin Nisar
Online scamming has become the single biggest reason for financial losses, surpassing physical theft, bad investments, poor financial decisions, and business failures combined. As per statistics, 120 cases were reported in 2020, with 33 arrests and 23 charge sheets filed. In 2021, cases increased to 154, with 102 arrests and 60 charge sheets. In 2022 and 2023, 173 and 1046 cases of cybercrime were reported, resulting in 76 arrests. The trend shows increasing cybercrime activities.
An online scam is an illegal internet activity performed through computers or smartphones, often using social media to steal sensitive information and money from victims. Scams have become sophisticated, making awareness and preventive knowledge essential today.
Types of Scams
Digital Arrest: Fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials through video calls, claiming the victim is involved in illegal activities. They demand money to clear records. Recently, even a police officer faced such a scam!
Phishing Scam: Scammers impersonate legitimate organizations to steal sensitive information like ATM PINs or bank details via texts or emails. SMS and voice phishing often involve fake calls from service providers under the pretext of KYC updates, demanding Aadhaar, debit card, or bank details.
Online Shopping Scams: Scammers exploit the booming online shopping sector by posting fake advertisements for non-existent products.
Romance Scams: Scammers create fake profiles on dating sites to lure individuals, demanding gift cards or money while threatening to leak sensitive photos or information.
Crypto-currency Scams: Common in Kashmir, scammers use Telegram to promise high salaries for fake jobs. Victims unknowingly transfer money, often losing thousands.
Tech Support Scams: Victims receive fake calls claiming their devices have technical issues. Fraudsters send malicious applications or data to steal money.
Call Forwarding Scams: Fraudsters trick individuals into dialling numbers that reroute calls, enabling them to intercept sensitive information like banking OTPs.
Deep-Fake Scams: Scammers use AI technology to create fake explicit images, threatening to circulate them unless a ransom is paid.
How to Stay Safe
Protect Personal Information: Avoid sharing phone numbers, bank account details, or other sensitive information with strangers, especially when offered jobs or financial benefits.
Stay Informed: Educate yourself and others about scams and their tactics. Warn those less familiar with the internet about the risks of sharing sensitive data without verifying the recipient.
Use Strong Passwords: Secure social media accounts with strong passwords and enable two-step verification for added security.
Government Efforts
With rising cybercrimes, the Government has proposed stringent laws, including penalties of up to 7 years in prison and fines reaching 10 million rupees. Public awareness campaigns like “Scam Se Bacho,” in collaboration with Meta, educate people about cybercrime tactics and preventive measures.
The Home Ministry is also considering a Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre under the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre. Once established, this centre will provide real-time responses to online scams, ensuring timely assistance to victims.
Technology has become integral to daily life, making education and awareness about cyber threats essential. Those knowledgeable about technology must act as guides, creating a safer digital environment. Governments, individuals, and stakeholders must collectively combat the growing menace of online scams.
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