In response to the rising number of cyber frauds targeting senior citizens, Kolkata Police has revamped its ‘Cyber Pronam’ awareness initiative to strengthen public preparedness against online scams. The campaign is designed not only to educate people about common cyber frauds but also to train them on how and where to report cybercrime if they become victims. Police officials believe that prompt reporting significantly improves the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions and recovering stolen funds.
According to Kolkata Police, an internal assessment conducted last year found that more than 60% of victims of digital arrest scams were senior citizens. In view of this trend, the department has prioritised awareness programmes for elderly citizens and women. Officials said that merely advising people to remain cautious is no longer sufficient, and that educating citizens about the cybercrime reporting process has become equally important.
The initiative began around two weeks ago at Gariahat Police Station, where nearly 60 senior citizens associated with the Pronam programme participated in a cyber awareness session. Participants were briefed on a wide range of cyber threats, including digital arrest scams, malicious APK applications, online investment frauds, banking and UPI frauds, social media scams and hotel booking frauds. The programme also covered cyber hygiene, safe online practices and the importance of preserving digital evidence. An interactive question-and-answer session was held, and cyber safety leaflets were distributed among attendees.
The campaign has since expanded to other areas. On Sunday, the Durga Suraksha Squad organised community outreach sessions in the Netaji Nagar Police Station area, bringing together local women, residents, senior police officers, cyber police representatives and women police personnel. The sessions focused on recognising cyber threats, accessing cyber help desks and women’s help desks at police stations, and seeking timely assistance whenever suspicious online activity is detected. Police described the initiative as part of their broader effort to strengthen public trust while bringing cyber safety awareness directly into neighbourhoods.
Officials involved in the campaign said investigations into previous cyber fraud cases revealed that many victims were confused about the complaint process after an incident occurred. Some were unsure whether they should immediately visit a police station or first contact the cyber helpline, while others did not know what documents or transaction details were required to register a complaint. To address this gap, Kolkata Police has incorporated practical guidance on cybercrime reporting into every awareness programme.
The Cyber Crime Cell has announced plans to further expand the campaign in the coming months. Police officials noted that during periods when many senior citizens spend more time at home and rely heavily on digital services for everyday activities, they become more vulnerable to online fraud. Consequently, all police stations—not just specialised cyber units—will participate in the awareness drive. Public announcements, distribution of informational pamphlets and community-level outreach programmes will be conducted to ensure wider public participation.
Kolkata Police has advised that victims of financial cyber fraud should immediately contact the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) if money has been fraudulently withdrawn from their accounts. Officials stressed that reporting the incident during the initial “Golden Hour” greatly increases the likelihood of freezing fraudulent transactions and recovering the stolen funds. Before calling, victims should keep details such as their bank or digital wallet name, the 12-digit UTR or transaction ID, the amount transferred and the transaction date readily available. They are also advised to inform their respective banks without delay to flag the suspicious activity.
For non-financial cyber offences such as hacked social media accounts or other online crimes, citizens can file complaints through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal after authenticating their mobile number via OTP. Police clarified that victims do not need to visit the Lalbazar Cyber Crime Branch in every case. Complaints lodged at local police stations will be forwarded by the concerned station to the divisional cyber cell for further investigation and necessary action.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said senior citizens remain among the primary targets of cybercriminals, who frequently exploit fear and confusion through digital arrest scams, fake bank verification calls, fraudulent investment schemes and KYC update frauds. He emphasised that public awareness, prompt reporting, preservation of digital evidence and timely use of the 1930 cyber helpline are among the most effective measures for minimising financial losses. According to him, extending cyber awareness programmes to the community level is a crucial step towards preventing online fraud and strengthening digital resilience.
