Cybercell of Gujarat CID crime stated that every day, citizens in the state collectively lose £100,000 to 120,000 to online financial fraud. Most of these complaints are pertaining to victims falling prey to sextortion rackets and cyberbullying related to instant loan apps.
Most of the complaints come from the state's four largest cities, including Ahmedabad. At the 'Hacked' event held at a society in Ahmedabad, representatives of Gujarat's CID crime's cybercell shockingly disclosed this information. The session was organised by media agency and Gujarat CID (crime) to make people more aware of cybercrime and its prevention. The cops revealed that, every day, they receive about 1,200 calls on the cybercrime helpline 1930. Of these around 250 calls are related to financial frauds.
Among the officials present were PI cyber forensics and prevention, Manish Bhankharia, PI cybercell Gujarat CID (crime) Hemant Pandya and PSI Dhaval Shukal.
“The online gaming sites, to which most teenagers are hooked, are becoming major phishing points for cybercriminals. We get complaints about anti-social elements reaching out to youngsters through texts and video-chats. On these gaming sites, one can share documents as well,” says Bhankharia, warning parents to be on the lookout for such online interactions. Regarding instant loan apps, Bhankharia said, “Many middle-class women are falling prey to instant loan apps, which hijack your contact list, messages and photo galleries. Photos are morphed using pornographic material and women are mostly at the receiving end of such scams. ”