Essential Tips to Stay Safe Online

The increasing number of cybercrimes occurring daily is both alarming and traumatic. No one is exempt; it affects nearly everyone—rich or poor, educated or uneducated, men and women, young and old. The criminals are often invisible or use fake identities, while victims tend to be gullible and unsuspecting. Most do not report these crimes due to shame, fear, or lack of awareness. By the time they realise they've been cheated, significant time has passed, allowing the criminals to complete their transactions and withdraw the funds.

The nature of cybercrime varies by location and incident, taking many forms, including fake investment portals, enticing job offers, fraudulent matrimonial proposals, and so-called "digital arrests." These crimes often start with a call from an unknown person making attractive offers or threats about non-existent crimes. Criminals may impersonate gas company representatives, asking for personal information and bank details, or send emails requesting banking information. In some cases, victims receive video calls where they are "digitally arrested" and pressured to make large payments, with fraudsters preventing them from leaving until the payment is made.

Victims include retirees seeking high-return investments, unemployed youth searching for jobs, and young women interested in marriage proposals. Some women face blackmail or threats of compromising photo publication. Cybercriminals employ various tactics—false promises, unusual returns, and exploitation of greed or dreams—to lure victims. Surprisingly, even those savvy in social media, mobile technology, and computers, including individuals with substantial funds, often fall prey to these schemes.

In some cases, law enforcement agencies have arrested criminals but remain unaware of where the money has gone. On October 10, 2024, the NIA (National Investigative Agency) stated, “Investigations revealed that five individuals trafficked vulnerable Indian youth to the Golden Triangle Region in Laos, forcing them to commit cyber scams targeting European and American citizens. They operated through the consultancy firm All International Services, which served as a front for human trafficking” (The Perfect Voice, October 11, 2024). Many of the real culprits behind these cybercrimes are based in China or Pakistan, causing chaos in countries like India, the USA, and the UK.

Apart from registering offences under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the I.T. Act under various provisions, the RBI and other public and private banks are constantly alerting their customers and the public, in general, to guard against fraudsters and not to disclose their account details or not fall prey to any links for rewards. They have also publicised their helplines, where the victims are asked to report at the earliest.

The Government of India has issued helpline no. 1930, and the website for victims to report is https://www.cybercrime.gov.in.

The Department of Telecommunications has also launched the Mjw portal for reporting suspected fraud and unsolicited commercial communication received in the last 30 days. You can access the portal via this link: https://services.india.gov.in/service/detail/chakshu-report-suspected-fraud-communication

The portal offers several services, including:

• Identifying your wireline internet service provider.

• Reporting international calls that appear to have an Indian number.

• Checking the number of connections issued in your name.

• Verifying your mobile device using its IMEI number.

India Cybercrime Coordination Centre

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) was established by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi to provide a coordinated framework for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to address cybercrime comprehensively. I4C serves as the nodal point for combating cybercrime across the country.

I4C focuses on raising awareness and training law enforcement officers as Cyber `moÕm (Cyber Warriors), having trained thousands of police officers in handling cybercrime. It also spreads awareness on social media through Cyber XmoñV (Cyber Friends) campaigns.

For safe practices to prevent cybercrime, visit I4C's website. Some key tips include:

1. Avoid pop-ups, unknown emails, and suspicious links.

2. Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.

3. Regularly update and back up your data.

The portal also outlines various categories of cybercrimes., such as, cryptocurrency crime, cyber terrorism, hacking, social media-related crimes, etc.

I urge everyone using computers, mobiles, or other electronic devices to avoid responding to calls, emails, or video calls from unknown numbers, whether in India or abroad. If you choose to respond, verify the caller's details first. Staying vigilant is essential to protect your life, money, dignity, and reputation from the growing threat of cybercriminals.

The Government of India must ensure its portals and helplines are available 24/7 and user-friendly for easy access. It should also secure personal data shared with online platforms, banks, and investment centres, as fraudsters often exploit this information. Legal measures must be introduced to prevent data breaches, with strict penalties for those responsible for leaks. Additionally, the government should study technological innovations from advanced countries to effectively track and apprehend cybercriminals. Strengthening coordination with international organisations and foreign governments is crucial to protecting Indians from these borderless threats.

(The author is former DGP, Maharashtra. Views personal.)