With cybercriminals devising new ways to trick victims,
it’s crucial to remain cautious of unsolicited communications.
Cyber Police Kashmir urges residents to stay alert.
By Ishtiyaq Kar
In the midst of an alarming surge in cybercrime scams, the Cyber Police Kashmir is sounding the alarm and calling upon the general public to exercise vigilance and adopt necessary precautions to safeguard themselves from the perils of the digital world.
An official from the Cyber Police Kashmir has issued a stern warning, highlighting the relentless onslaught of new and potent cyber-attacks targeting internet users in the Kashmir valley. The modus operandi of cyber cybercriminals is ever-evolving, with these individuals continually devising innovative tactics to deceive unsuspecting victims into revealing their personal information and financial details.
“It is imperative to remain informed about the latest scams and exercise caution when encountering unsolicited emails, phone calls, or messages,” cautioned the official, underlining the gravity of the situation. The digital realm has witnessed a worrying proliferation of frauds facilitated through social media platforms and deceptive phone calls, significantly affecting the residents of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Consequently, the Cyber Police Kashmir has seen an influx of over hundreds of complaints related to the
misuse of social media and online frauds. The official emphasized that even a minor lapse in managing one’s digital presence could potentially expose them to cybercriminals who might exploit vulnerabilities to steal money or tarnish one’s reputation.
“Online fraud and misuse of cyberspace are pervasive global issues, and residents in the Kashmir valley are not immune to these threats,” the official asserted while choosing to remain anonymous.
Cyber Police Station Kashmir Zone, Srinagar, has been inundated with a steady stream of complaints concerning the abuse of cyberspace, primarily related to online financial frauds. The agility of online fraudsters and scammers is evident as they constantly adapt their tactics to deceive and victimize the unsuspecting public.
A range of cybercrimes including phishing, data theft, identity theft, online lotteries, cyber-attacks, job scams, banking frauds, cyberbullying, online blackmail, image manipulation, revenge porn, cyber hacking, child pornography, cyber grooming, cyberstalking, data manipulation, software piracy, and online radicalization are becoming increasingly common.
Kashmir has witnessed emerging trends in financial fraud perpetrated by cybercriminals, including OTP/ fishing fraud, online marketplace scams, online gaming frauds, fraudulent job and loan offers, online shopping deceptions, and fraudulent apps.
Moreover, Cyber Police Kashmir has also received complaints concerning the misuse of social media, including the creation of fake accounts, image and video manipulation, deepfake technology, cyberbullying, online harassment, child exploitation, and more, the official stated.
The official went on to explain that their Police Station has processed hundreds of financial fraud cases and complaints about social media misuse, with the majority of these cases being successfully resolved. Multiple FIRs have been filed against cybercriminals involved in various cybercrime cases, leading to their apprehension and subsequent legal proceedings.
In recent times, the Police Station has received approximately 500 complaints related to missing or stolen mobile phones. Remarkably, around 340 of these mobile devices, valued at lakhs of rupees, were successfully recovered through conventional and technological means, then promptly returned to their rightful owners. Cyber
Police Kashmir continues to be at the forefront of assisting citizens in their day-to-day lives, particularly in navigating the technological challenges they encounter.
The official acknowledged that sustained efforts and timely interventions by various teams of Cyber Crime Kashmir have resulted in the recovery and refunding of significant sums to individuals who fell victim to various financial frauds.
Under the guidance of the Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Srinagar, and in an effort to protect the public from cybercrimes, Cyber Police Kashmir has launched several awareness campaigns and programs.
These initiatives employ a wide range of communication channels, including electronic and print media, pamphlets, social media platforms, and radio broadcasts, to educate the general public about contemporary online scams and the misuse of social media.
Cyber Police Kashmir has consistently urged the public to exercise extreme caution and resist the temptation of succumbing to cybercrime frauds promising unexpected prizes, job opportunities, mobile tower installations, loan offers, insurance bonuses, and more.
The public is also advised against sharing their bank or personal details or transferring funds to unfamiliar individuals in anticipation of lucrative returns.
In the face of such threats, citizens are strongly encouraged to report any suspicious incidents immediately to Cyber Police Station Kashmir Zone, Srinagar, as the authorities work diligently to protect the digital safety of the region’s residents.
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