'Indians duped of Rs 1.2 lakh crore by cybercriminals in 2019'

As India pushes for a cashless economy, experts warn the risk of cybercrime has increased as online financial transaction are being widely used.

Dehradun: A recent survey revealed that in 2019, Indians were duped of Rs 1.2 lakh crore by the cybercriminals proving that technology that has become intertwined with human life also can be a major problem if not handles carefully.

While the central government pushing for a cashless economy, cybercriminals have become a cause of worry for the people. One can now notice the practice of online payment even at roadside eateries and shops, but experts point out that this has increased the risk of cyber attacks on those doing online transaction.

According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s report of March 2020, the number of internet users in the country has increased by 3.4 per cent to 74.3 crore. According to the Uttarakhand cybercrime police, there are 1.2 billion users of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other such social platforms in the country and the user spends on an average two and a half hours on these apps.

Modus operandi of cybercrime in India

- Fake websites have been made seeking donation for charity. One should be very cautious of such websites. One should not give a donation without verifying the authenticity of such websites.

- There are many fake e-commerce websites offering online shopping. These websites look similar to the websites of genuine companies and offer merchandise at a much lower price than the original brands.

- Many cyber hackers have floated websites offering to make a passport, licence, aadhar card etc. One should not get into their trap and visit government websites for availing these services.

-People are also being duped by a fraudster posing as a bank official and as customer care executive. Obtain official numbers and facilities such as e-wallet from your bank.

Data of National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB)

According to the national crime record bureau (NCRB), as many as 44,546 cases of cybercrime were reported in 2019. Compared to the 28,248 cases reported in 2018, this was 63.5 per cent higher. In the year 2017, the number of cybercrime was 21,796.

According to an estimate, a very large number of people, including children and old persons, are spending two and a half hours online every day. Unscrupulous cybercriminals are employing different ways to dupe Internet users of millions of rupees.

Beware of Internet search engines

Don’t ever commit the mistake of looking for the number of customer care on a search engine. Fraudsters use a similar sounding name of the customer care to pass off their number as genuine.

Avoid giving personal details on phone

It has been a very old practice throughout the world to dupe people by extracting personal details by engaging them in a long telephone conversation. Many times, cyber hackers pose as friends and relatives to obtain personal details in times an emergency situation related to banking. Never ever part with your personal details to anyone.

Duping through Facebook, Instagram

Master thugs have found unique way of duping people. They hack the Facebook and Instagram accounts, send messages to the relatives of the victims to demand money. In such cases, many people send money to the fake account, only to realize later that they have been duped. One should doubly check the veracity of such account before sending any money.

Apply lock feature

Cyber thugs are known to be making face ID by copying personal details and photographs from Facebook and Instagram. To prevent this, use the lock feature and share only minimum personal details on your social media profiles.

Cyber hackers targeting websites

Hackers are also keenly watching the websites frequently visited by women, children and old people. The hackers then collect personal details from these websites and target potential victims to dupe them. Avoid visiting unknown websites.

Widespread use of Bar Codes to dupe people

According to the cyber police of Uttarkhand, cybercriminals are using Bar Codes to dupe people. Criminals are sending bar codes on mobile, WhatsApp and email to dupe people. Many times, the thug sends QR code in the name of sending money and the unsuspecting people lose a substantial amount of money. One should use the QR Code with extra caution.

Phishing link to dupe online

According to Uttarakhand cybercrime police, at present people are being duped in the name of phishing link. An unknown person sends a link through e-mail and offers a monetary reward. As soon as the user clicks the link, it sends all personal details including bank account details to the cybercriminal who uses the information to swindle the unsuspecting user.

Victims back out

The Uttarakhand cybercrime police on an average receive 100 complaints regarding duping through the cyberspace. However, in most of the cases, the complainant backs out instead of filing a case. This encourages criminals to continue with their crime.

According to the Uttarakhand cyber police, most the gangs are operating from Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Mewat, West Bengal, Assam and Manipur.

Awareness must for safety

According to DG (law and order) Ashok Kumar, first of all, the internet users need to be vigilant against cybercrime. The cybercrime police are actively trying to crack down on criminals throughout the state. Yet, being vigilant is the best way against cybercrime.

What to do if duped by cybercriminal

- The victim should immediately inform the bank and block his account so that no further transaction can be done from his account.

- Save and keep the customer care number of the bank so as to inform the bank immediately about the crime.

- Inform the nearest police station and its cyber cell.

- In Uttarakhand, one can directly complain to the cyber cell on the helpline number or send an e-mail. The number of deputy SP of cyber cell Ankush Mishra is 8126372169 and the helpline number is 01352655900. The email is ccps.deh@uttarakhandpolice.uk.gov.in.