Whether it’s loan apps or a text that apes your discom and says your power will be disconnected, cyber frauds are coming up with innovative ways to target people. Triveni Singh, SP (cybercrime), talks to TOI on the ways people should adopt to safeguard themselves from this menace and what the cops are doing to tackle increasing online frauds.

What are commonly seen cybercrimes?

The biggest cyber security threat right now is the lack of awareness among most internet users. Citizens end up falling for cyber fraud, identity theft, phishing, cyberstalking and other attacks. We’ve also identified some modus operandi used by cyber criminals, who use it for loan fraud, job fraud, sextortion, UPI fraud, lottery fraud, etc.

How do miscreants get data?

A common way to steal data is by phishing. For instance, e-mails are often sent, seeking bank details. If a person clicks on the link and enters account details, the hacker will have the data. Another way miscreants get data is through malware like Trojans, spyware or through malicious mobile applications that ask for permissions to use data, like that of contacts, messages and media.

What steps are being taken to prevent cybercrimes?

The department issues advisories to caution people. But precaution is always better. People should be alert while using their devices and avoid clicking on any suspicious links. If a scam has occurred, we encourage people not to hesitate to approach the police. We will take quick action and attempt to restore the lost money.

Where are the accused in such cases being tracked down to?

There is no specific location where online scams are carried out from, but some of them work in clusters. Some of the accused in phishing cases have been traced to Jharkhand, Bihar, Bengal and Haryana. Call centres usually targeting foreigners are often run from swanky offices in cities like Noida, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

Why are the number of arrests and convictions low in these cases?

Law enforcement agencies are aggressively working to bust such scams. The number of arrests is increasing daily, but the problem is also the volume of cyber-attacks. Criminals are looking for innovative ways and new targets every day. Public awareness is the most effective way to deter these scammers.

How does the police trace the accused?

It’s a misconception that people can be completely anonymous on the internet. We can gather evidence from social media, and we have highly skilled forensics experts and advanced software tools to track down the criminals.

NCR has many call centres. How do cops monitor these?

Cyber frauds from fake call centres have cast their net as far as the US, UK and Canada. We conduct raids if we get any complaints from enforcement agencies, national and international, along with MNCs whose names are frequently used by the scammers, and the citizens who are cheated.

Frauds linked to loan apps are becoming common. What should people know about them?

Those who run these fake loan apps and digital lending platforms are generally operating outside the ambit of law. They send threats and defamatory messages to borrowers or people on their contact list. When it comes to borrowing, the main thing to keep in mind is that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. People should make sure the lender is registered with the regulatory body, check if the lender is transparent about fees, practices and policies, find out the exact interest rate cap, and ensure the lender has a dedicated customer helpline.

Despite your best efforts, you might find yourself in a difficult situation if you end up as the target of a loan scam, whether it’s a fraudulent loan, app scam, phishing, predatory practices, or unscrupulous lenders. If you suspect you have already fallen victim to a loan scam and the lender is fraudulent, don’t hesitate to pursue legal action.

How are fake loan apps available for download? Isn’t there any authentication mechanism?

Governments and major app store operators are scrambling to get a handle on apps that have been collecting money through billions of illegal transactions.

What are some of the common loan apps used for cheating?

Cash Mall, FastMoney, BorrowNow, LCredit, Cash Wallet and GGMoney are some prominent apps.

The elderly are more vulnerable to frauds. What steps can they take?

Scammers often target the elderly who are not tech savvy. To counter this, it is our responsibility to educate our parents and grandparents about safe technology use.

Apart from awareness, what can people do to safeguard themselves?

Cyber fraud is spreading like a raging fire. People should maintain cyber hygiene, e.g. use strong passwords, watch out for phishing scams, use multi-factor authentication, avoid clicking on unknown links, verify if a URL is legitimate before giving any personal details, and keep devices and apps updated, etc.tnn