India has emerged as the second most targeted country for global cyber scams after the United States, according to a new adversarial threat report released by Meta, highlighting the growing scale and sophistication of online fraud targeting Indian users.
The report paints a concerning picture of how organised cybercrime networks are increasingly focusing on India’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem, leveraging social media platforms, messaging apps, and advanced technologies to execute large-scale scams.
AI-driven scams on the rise
A key finding of the report is the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by cybercriminals, enabling them to carry out more convincing and personalised frauds.
Scammers are now using AI tools to create:
- Realistic phishing messages
- Fake social media profiles
- Sophisticated fraudulent websites
- Deepfake content to impersonate individuals
These technologies have significantly blurred the line between genuine and manipulated digital content, making scams harder to detect for ordinary users.
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Organised scam networks operating like businesses
Meta noted that modern cybercrime groups are no longer small, isolated actors but highly structured organisations functioning like professional enterprises.
These networks systematically:
- Identify potential victims through digital platforms
- Build trust using fake identities or impersonation
- Execute scams at scale across countries
India’s large English-speaking population and growing internet user base make it a prime target for such international fraud syndicates.
Emerging threats: Deepfakes and “nudify” apps
The report also flagged rising concerns around AI-enabled abuse, including:
- “Nudify” apps that generate non-consensual explicit images
- Deepfake videos used for extortion and harassment
- Synthetic identities used in financial fraud
Experts have warned that such tools represent a serious threat to privacy, dignity, and online safety, particularly for women and vulnerable users.
New scam formats targeting vulnerable users
Investigators identified several evolving scam techniques, including:
- Fake rental listings targeting financially distressed individuals
- “Digital arrest” scams involving impersonation of law enforcement
- Fake livestream scams exploiting grieving families
These scams increasingly rely on emotional manipulation and urgency, making victims more likely to comply.
Call for stronger safeguards and awareness
Experts have emphasised the need for:
- Stronger legal frameworks to address AI-driven cybercrime
- Faster takedown mechanisms for harmful content
- Increased digital literacy among users
The report underscores that technological solutions alone are insufficient, and user awareness remains a critical defence against cyber fraud.
With cybercriminals becoming more organised and technologically advanced, the findings serve as a warning that India’s digital growth must be matched with equally robust cybersecurity measures.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
