Cybercriminals are exploiting the digital era with 30 different fraud techniques, with sextortion becoming the most alarming trend, particularly targeting senior citizens. According to the National Cyber Crime Reporting (NCRP) data, between January 1 and August 26, cyber fraudsters extorted Rs 116 crore from people in Uttarakhand, while police managed to recover only Rs 16.16 crore.
Reports show that in sextortion cases, fraudsters create fake profiles on Facebook or WhatsApp, befriend elderly victims, and later trap them through video calls involving obscene visuals. The calls are secretly recorded, and victims are blackmailed with threats of public exposure. Fear of social stigma prevents many from lodging complaints.
Data reveals that Rs 36 crore was looted in the first quarter of 2024, while frauds doubled to Rs 80 crore in the next five months. During this period, complaints surged from 6,320 in the first three months to 10,304 by the end of August. Despite awareness campaigns, delayed reporting has made it difficult for cyber police to freeze accounts, with recovery limited to only 7.17 percent of total fraud amounts.
Apart from sextortion, criminals are deceiving people through investment scams, fake SMS, loan apps, OLX deals, online shopping fraud, OTP theft, impersonation, fake business accounts, digital arrest, QR codes, lottery scams, matrimonial frauds, parcel traps, and gaming apps.
SSP STF Navneet Bhullar urged victims to report immediately on helpline number 1930 to maximize chances of freezing fraudulent transactions. Officials stressed that timely reporting is the only effective way to curb rising cyber fraud.
