Cybercrime is now the fastest-growing category of crime in India. Phishing emails, UPI scams, OTP fraud, fake "KYC update" calls, social media impersonation, sextortion, and ransomware all fall under the IT Act 2000 and the IPC. Knowing what these look like — and how to report them — protects you and your family.
இந்தியாவில் சைபர் குற்றம் — தற்போது வேகமாக வளரும் குற்ற வகை. Phishing email, UPI மோசடி, OTP மோசடி, "KYC update" போலி அழைப்பு, சமூக ஊடக போலி, sextortion, ransomware — அனைத்தும் IT Act 2000 மற்றும் IPC-யின் கீழ். இவை எப்படி இருக்கின்றன மற்றும் எப்படி புகார் அளிப்பது — உங்களையும் உங்கள் குடும்பத்தையும் காப்பாற்றும்.
Common types of cybercrime
| Crime | How it works | How to spot it |
|---|---|---|
| Phishing | Fake email/SMS pretending to be your bank, IT dept, etc. | Generic greeting, urgent threat, suspicious link |
| UPI scam | Stranger sends "request" — taps OK and money debits | You did not initiate; OK only on requests YOU made |
| OTP fraud | Caller asks you to share OTP for "refund/verification" | No legitimate caller will EVER ask for your OTP |
| Vishing (voice call fraud) | Caller pretends to be bank/PAN/Aadhaar dept | Real institutions never threaten over phone |
| Job/loan scam | Pay "registration fee" for job offer or loan | Real employers / banks do not charge upfront fees |
| Romance scam | Online "match" suddenly needs urgent money | Anyone you have not met IRL asking for money = red flag |
| Sextortion | Compromising photos/videos used to extort money | Block, save evidence, report — never pay |
| Ransomware | Malware encrypts your files, demands payment | Backup regularly; do not click unknown attachments |
The three golden rules
நினைவில் வைக்க வேண்டியவை
- 1. OTP, PIN, password, CVV — யாருக்கும் சொல்ல வேண்டாம் (வங்கியாளர், காவலர் உட்பட)
- 2. அவசரம் — மோசடியின் முக்கிய ஆயுதம். "Now or never" — பெரும்பாலும் scam
- 3. சந்தேகம் இருந்தால் — phone disconnect, official number-க்கு திரும்பவும் call செய்யவும்
What to do immediately if scammed
Within 30 mins
Call 1930
National Cyber Crime Helpline — golden hour for chasing money
Within 1 hour
File on cybercrime.gov.in
Detailed online complaint with screenshots, transaction IDs
Within 2 hours
Inform your bank
Block cards, freeze accounts, raise dispute
Same day
File FIR
At nearest police station — Zero FIR if needed
Within 24h
Change all passwords
Email, banking, social media — and enable 2FA
1930 — Golden hour
Money transferred via UPI/IMPS-ஆக 30 நிமிடங்களுக்குள் reverse செய்ய நியாயமான வாய்ப்பு உண்டு. 1930 அழைத்து account முடக்கினால், fraudster account-இலிருந்து pull out செய்ய முடியாது. Time is everything.
Where to report
புகார் அளிக்கும் இடங்கள்
- 🌐 cybercrime.gov.in — Central government cybercrime portal
- 📞 1930 — National Cybercrime Helpline (24×7)
- 🚓 Local police station — for FIR (cognisable offence)
- 🏦 Your bank's fraud helpline — printed on debit card
- 📧 Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Police: cybercrime@tnpolice.gov.in
- 📞 Tamil Nadu Cyber Cell: 044-28447701
Red flags by category
Bank-related: NEVER click links in SMS/WhatsApp claiming "your account will be blocked". Bank apps don't need OTP for refunds. Investment offers: anyone promising "guaranteed 30% returns" or "double your money in 6 months" is a scam — period. Stock tips on Telegram/WhatsApp from "experts" are pump-and-dump fraud.
Job & loan scams
Real recruiters do not ask for fees. Naukri, LinkedIn, Indeed are free for applicants. If a "job offer" requires a registration fee, deposit, or "training charges" — it is fraud. Same with loans: legitimate banks/NBFCs don't demand upfront "processing" payments before loan disbursement.
Children and digital safety
குழந்தைகளை பாதுகாக்க
- Social media accounts, age-appropriate privacy settings
- Stranger messages — block, not engage
- Webcam covered when not in use
- Open conversation — they should feel safe to tell you about scary online experiences
- POCSO Act — Online sexual exploitation of children = criminal
- Report on cybercrime.gov.in/Webform/Crime_AuthoLogin.aspx (special children's category)
Cybercrime can happen to anyone — old, young, tech-savvy, new internet users. The shame of being scammed often prevents victims from reporting, which lets fraudsters continue. Reporting is essential — not just for your case but to help police track patterns and prevent others from being victimised.
For any cybercrime: Save screenshots of messages, transaction IDs, suspect phone numbers — all evidence. Do not delete WhatsApp chats with the fraudster.
Stay safe online
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