While digital technology has made our lives easier, it has also opened up new avenues for fraudsters. Fraud is no longer confined to the streets or phone calls — it has spread to your smartphone, social media, banking apps, and even your email inbox. Cybercriminals are now using high-tech methods like fake websites, fake apps, scammy UPI links, and data theft to target people.
Online fraud cases are on the rise in India, and the biggest reason for this is the lack of digital awareness and the clever use of AI and digital technology by fraudsters. The recent fraud of a 46-year-old woman from Navi Mumbai made this danger even more clear. She was contacted on social media by a man who introduced himself as a friend living abroad, who was sending her an expensive gift. Shortly after, another call came — this time from a fake “customs officer” telling the woman that she would have to pay heavy customs duty and tax to clear the gift. The woman transferred around ₹49.59 lakhs in multiple installments to different accounts.
The fraudsters are becoming tech-savvy
This fraud was not just about playing with emotions — it involved AI-generated fake profiles, WhatsApp calls, and fake documents to convince the woman that the person in front of her was real. This case shows that as fraudsters are becoming tech-savvy, common people are falling into their trap more and more. The statistics of online fraud in India are also worrying. Around 11 lakh financial cyber fraud cases were registered in 2023, of which Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of cases, around 2 lakh. Apart from this, there was a 4-fold increase in digital fraud cases in 2024, leading to a loss of around ₹177 crore. These statistics show that with the increasing reach of digital technology, the methods of fraudsters are also becoming more complex. When you step into the digital world, not only facilities increase, but responsibilities also increase. Today, when everything is accessible on mobile and internet, cyber criminals also wait for every mistake that we make unknowingly. In such a situation, it is most important that we make ourselves digitally empowered and alert. Think before clicking on any unknown link, do not share OTP or bank information with anyone, and always use two-level security (2FA).
Take help of these helplines
If you become a victim of any online fraud, do not panic – immediately call the National Cyber Crime Helpline number 1930 or visit www.cybercrime.gov.in and file a report. Your one quick complaint can save many more people from being cheated.
Be smart, be alert, and stay two steps ahead of cyber criminals. Awareness is the biggest shield in this digital age.