The reel is frequently influenced by the real. Jamtara, an OTT series, was inspired by cyber fraud activities carried out in a remote part of Jharkhand. However, the script appears to need some tuning in the future. This is because cybercrime hotspots in India, such as Jamtara and Mewat, have spread outside the country's borders.
According to a recent study conducted by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, a part of the Union Home Ministry, approximately 45% of cybercrime cases targeting Indians originate in other South Asian nations, primarily Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. This is not to imply that the threat is minimal in India.
The number of complaints about grey activities such as trading scams, phishing, and fake romance has risen dramatically, from 26,049 in 2019 to 7.4 lakh by April 2024. This year, the national cybercrime reporting system received over six lakh complaints, totaling almost Rs 1,800 crore in fraudulent money.
Based on a study undertaken by an IIT Kanpur-incubated non-profit, financial fraud accounts for approximately 77% of cybercrimes between 2020 and 2023. There are additional risks: identity and data theft caused by cyber fraud can have long-term consequences such as a permanent debt footprint, as well as legal and security issues. Notably, the cybercrime network based in these South Asian nations has been deceiving Indians by using Indian SIM cards and fraudulent recruitment possibilities via messaging apps.
For example, the Indian embassy in Cambodia sponsored the extradition of 360 Indians. However, 5,000 citizens are accused of being trapped there and forced to commit cybercrime against their fellow Indians. Last year, India was the 80th most targeted country for cybercrime. New Delhi must use diplomatic channels to interact its concerns to these countries.
India has the second largest population of active internet users. However, the vast majority of them are unaware of internet fraud, making them easy targets for scammers. Other rising threats include privacy violations and sextortion. The expanding digital ecosystem needs a thorough understanding and mitigation of cyber threats.
To prevent such mischief, legal loopholes must be fixed. However, there should be a balance between cybercrime prevention and overregulation so that access to the internet is not hampered while also protecting the privacy of users. Treading this fine line under an authoritarian rule can be difficult.
