Sheikh Mohsin Nisar
The rise of online scamming has emerged as the leading cause of financial losses, surpassing traditional theft, poor investments, misguided financial choices, and business collapses. Statistics indicate that there were 120 reported cases in 2020, resulting in 33 arrests and 23 charge sheets filed. By 2021, the number of cases had risen to 154, with 102 individuals arrested and 60 charge sheets issued. The trend continued to escalate in 2022 and 2023, with 173 and 1,046 cases of cybercrime reported respectively, leading to 76 arrests. This data reflects a growing prevalence of cybercrime activities.
An online scam refers to any illegal activity conducted over the internet via computers or smartphones, frequently utilizing social media to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information and money. These scams have evolved in sophistication, underscoring the importance of awareness and preventive measures today.
Types of Scams
Digital Arrest: Scammers impersonate law enforcement through video calls, falsely alleging that the victim is involved in illegal acts, and demand payment to resolve the situation. Recently, even an actual police officer fell victim to such a scam!
Phishing Scam: Fraudsters pose as legitimate companies to acquire sensitive information such as ATM PINs or bank account details through texts or emails. SMS and voice phishing often involve fraudulent calls from service providers under the guise of KYC updates, soliciting Aadhaar, debit card, or bank information.
Online Shopping Scams: With the surge in online shopping, scammers take advantage by posting fake advertisements for products that do not exist.
Romance Scams: Fraudsters craft phony profiles on dating websites to attract victims, asking for gift cards or money while threatening to disclose private images or information.
Crypto-currency Scams: Particularly prevalent in Kashmir, these scams involve scammers using Telegram to promise high salaries for nonexistent job positions. Victims often unknowingly lose substantial amounts of money.
Tech Support Scams: Victims receive fraudulent calls claiming their devices are experiencing technical issues. Scammers then send malicious applications or data to extract money from them.
Call Forwarding Scams: Scammers deceive individuals into dialing certain numbers that reroute their calls, which helps the fraudsters capture sensitive information such as banking OTPs.
Deep-Fake Scams: Using AI technology, scammers create fake explicit images and threaten to release them unless a ransom is paid.
How to Stay Safe
Protect Personal Information: Be cautious about sharing phone numbers, bank account information, or other sensitive details with strangers, especially when offered jobs or financial incentives.
Stay Informed: Increase your awareness and that of others regarding the different types of scams and their methods. Caution those who are less internet-savvy about the dangers of sharing sensitive data without verifying the recipient’s credentials.
Use Strong Passwords: Secure your social media accounts with robust passwords and enable two-step verification for enhanced protection.
Government Efforts
In response to the rise of cybercrimes, the government is advocating for stricter laws, which may include penalties of up to 7 years in prison and fines reaching 10 million rupees. Public awareness initiatives such as “Scam Se Bacho,” in partnership with Meta, aim to inform the public about cybercrime tactics and preventive practices.
Furthermore, the Home Ministry is contemplating the establishment of a Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre under the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre. Once operational, this centre will offer real-time responses to online scams, ensuring prompt assistance to victims.
As technology becomes increasingly intertwined with everyday life, education and vigilance concerning cyber threats are vital. Those who are tech-savvy should act as mentors to create a safer digital landscape. A collective effort from governments, individuals, and stakeholders is essential in addressing the escalating threat of online scams.
