In today’s digital-centric world, cyber security remains an essential force to reckon with. Just when we have cybersecurity which promises protection to individuals and organisations against spammers, online crimes and scams, the cybercriminals have strategically indulged in nefarious activities by calling, messaging, and video calling. Such illegal incidents have become almost an everyday activity. They use online mode and cheat people at an alarming pace. They threaten the public using all means of tactics and put them in a sort of fear psychosis. The victims include the educated section of the lot. Among the victims were Civil Servants and others. The highest numbers of fraud and scams perpetrated online have become most common every day. Print and electronic media have alerted the public against online fraud. The fraudsters target everybody. With the advancement of technology, the sophistication of scams has also increased. The banks and other organisations have continuously reminded the customers of digital safety practices, including exercising caution when sharing personal information Yet such as Aadhar Card nos, Bank details, User names, passwords, and OTPS. New tracks are added to these attempts by using assorted routes. These online frauds are hitting the news headlines every day. They are using new methods to drag people into such scams and frauds. If one notices these developments in the last few months, these online criminals are adopting new ways in cheating gullible people. AI-manipulated voices, images and audio now replace E-mails and messages. ‘Parcels that contain banned goods’ are a new plot of secret operation by online criminals to frighten people. They adopt different conspiracies to target people using excellent communication. They give the impression of being genuine. Fraudsters are posing as CBI or IT officials and may threaten legal action or heavy fines to extort money from people.
Modus Operandi: Cybercriminals apply more than one method in targeting people. They take advantage of innocent people and involve them for their dubious actions. They resort to different modes of operation like drugs, customs, WhatsApp videos, WhatsApp links and video calling and using DP pics of famous personalities. Digital arrests and digital courts using video conferences have become the new platforms for trapping people. One of the recent developments that was reported in the media was that a Live Court proceeding was conducted in Gujarat by these cyber criminals. They go to any extent to adopt new routes. Even they dupe themselves as Police officers, and customs offcials.
Digital Arrests: A new scam called ‘Digital arrest’ involved fraudsters posing as officials to extort money through video calls. Thus digital arrests are a new method of cyber fraud in which fraudsters make audio or video calls. Digital arrests by cyber criminals refer to the exploitation of individuals through online means, leading to financial loss, identity theft, or other mental damage.The very objective of digital arrests is to create fear and mental tension. These are used to control victims’ digital communication to make money.
Digital arrests are their latest route to frighten people by threatening and blackmailing. Video conferencing does all this against innocent people. People believe that they are actually arrested for carrying drugs or parcels via video conference. They arrange digital courts to make them believe that they are arrested and produced in the court. The victims include mostly educated sections like Bureaucrats, Doctors and Engineers. Another secret plot that online fraudsters have adopted in recent times is that they credit the money into the accounts of different bank account holders. This is disturbing the people. The unemployed youth and the Police officials and the task games have become new routes for cyber criminals. It is observed that these fraudsters are illiterates who deceive literate people. They communicate so well in all the languages that the educated are made to believe so quickly. Among the most vulnerable are metropolitan cities which account for 24% of cyber frauds. Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad topped the list of cyber frauds.
Money Mules: Money mule is a person who transfers money that is acquired illegally by theft or fraud. Money mules transfer funds in person through a courier service on behalf of others. Mule accounts are a common scam method whereby a fraudster persuades the victim to rent out the accounts or cards for illegal operations. This can be in exchange for lucrative rewards to the victim. Cyber criminals are hiring “Money Mules” for laundering. A money mule is a person who transfers or moves illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else. Acting as a money mule is a crime. Cyber criminals are inventing new platforms and adopt strategies to exploit vulnerabilities in networks and systems. They exploit illiterate people and youth in using their bank accounts. Then they divert the money into other accounts before withdrawing from ATMs. There are cases wherein they converted the money into crypto currency. An investment in stock markets is yet another secret plot by cyber criminals to trap innocent citizens. Naturally fears grow over. India needs fraud detection tools and prevention tools to scan every account activity for illegal patterns of fraudulent behavior Fraudsters are making spoofed calls, displaying numbers different from the original ones as a cover while committing cybercrime and financial fraud. In other words, the person making the call can alter the phone number that is displayed, making it appear as though the call is coming from a trusted source—such as a bank, government agency, or even a friend or family member—when it is actually coming from a fraudulent or unknown number. Mobile number spoofing is becoming increasingly common due to the availability of software and services that allow individuals to mask their caller ID easily.
Social media has become a double-edged sword. While it facilitates communication and connectivity, its lack of regulation enables anonymity, making it a fertile a ground for fraud and other crimes. Fake accounts are frequently used for financial scams and the distribution of the obscene content. Research indicates that middle-aged individuals, particularly those aged 40-65, are most susceptible to financial fraud. India must synchronize its relations with international anti-cybercrime organizations to tackle the growing problem efficiently. TRAI, Cyber Security, Banking authorities and stakeholders should identify new ways and means to locate cyber criminals by using AI technology. All phone calls must carry the picture of the caller and the location from where the caller calls. Raising public awareness is critical to reducing cybercrime and its harmful impacts. The Enforcement of Laws to prevent cybercrime and internet related offences is essential and must be consistent.
P.V. Laxmiprasad is an author and editor of 43 well-deserved books in English Literature.
