In April this year, a retired schoolteacher from Vaishali, received a call that changed her life. The caller, impersonating a TRAI official, accused her of misusing her mobile number. The call quickly escalated—transferred to so-called CBI officers, who claimed she was part of a hawala operation. Over 28 agonizing days, the teacher was mentally trapped in a virtual prison, isolated and manipulated, all while believing she was facing imminent arrest.
Sadly, her case isn’t rare—it’s the new face of cybercrime in India.
From MBA students in Pune losing lakhs to digital traps, to elderly citizens being conned into giving up their life savings, cybercriminals are exploiting fear, authority, and digital ignorance. These aren’t just tech scams—they’re psychological warfare. And they’re growing at an alarming rate.
Digital Arrests: A New Cybercrime Frontier
These attacks, known as “digital arrests,” mimic the language and appearance of law enforcement. Scammers use spoofed numbers, fake documents, video calls with actors in uniforms, and coercive scripts. The goal is simple: scare victims into parting with money, silence, or both.
According to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), cyber frauds in the first nine months of 2024 amounted to ?11,333 crore. And that’s just the surface. Experts estimate that losses may exceed ?1.2 lakh crore in 2025—nearly 0.7% of India’s GDP. But the psychological toll, the loss of trust in systems, and the erosion of digital confidence are far more damaging—and immeasurable.
This shift calls for a deeper transformation—not just in how we protect our systems, but in how we empower our people.
From Firewalls to Peoplewalls
Cybersecurity has traditionally focused on infrastructure: firewalls, encryption, AI-driven threat detection. While these remain essential, one truth stands above all—our most fragile defense line is the human user.
One careless click, one unverified phone call, one misplaced password—these are the weak links attackers exploit. And these mistakes don’t just affect individuals. One compromised device can become the entry point to larger infrastructure, be it banking networks, health systems, or public services.
This is why cybersecurity must be reframed: not just as a technical issue, but as a civic responsibility.
India’s Awakening: Education as Defense
Fortunately, India is not standing still. Over 7.81 lakh SIM cards have been deactivated. More than 2.08 lakh mobile devices have been blacklisted. Platforms like Skype and WhatsApp have seen tens of thousands of fraudulent accounts blocked. The Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting System and helpline 1930 have already helped recover over ?4,386 crore.But enforcement alone isn’t enough. We need awareness.
Imagine if the retired teacher had known that TRAI doesn’t call citizens directly. Or if the MBA student had paused to verify the identities of his callers. Imagine the money, the trauma, and the dignity that could have been saved.
This is where digital literacy and awareness step in—not as optional add-ons, but as the frontline in cyber defense.
Building a Culture of Cyber Responsibility
It’s time we normalize digital hygiene the same way we teach traffic rules or fire drills. Every citizen must understand the basics:
– Use strong, unique passwords.
– Enable two-factor authentication.
– Be sceptical of unsolicited calls or messages.
– Never share OTPs or sensitive information.
– Keep software and apps up to date.
– Report suspicious incidents without fear or shame.
These practices aren’t just about protecting yourself—they’re about protecting the nation. Because in today’s era of hybrid warfare, cyberattacks are strategic weapons aimed not just at systems, but at societies.
Cybercriminals don’t need missiles—they only need your trust. That’s what makes awareness the most potent defense.
Cybersecurity Is Patriotism
In a country of 1.4 billion people, every secure phone, every educated user, every reported scam strengthens national cyber resilience. It’s time we start seeing cybersecurity as an act of patriotism. The battle is no longer just between hackers and IT teams. It’s being fought in living rooms, classrooms, and on mobile screens. And it can only be won if every citizen becomes a cyber-soldier—aware, alert, and accountable.
As India continues its digital journey, the cost of ignorance is no longer personal—it’s national. Empowering users with awareness, tools, and confidence must become a national mission.
(The author, Neehar Pathare, is the MD, CEO & CIO, of 63SATS Cybertech.)
