Dhanbad Police and the district administration on Monday launched a five-day, district-wide cyber safety awareness campaign aimed at protecting nearly 35 lakh people from the growing threat of online fraud. The initiative will focus on educating students, families, rural communities and other sections of society about emerging forms of cybercrime and practical measures to prevent financial and digital losses.
The campaign will include awareness sessions in schools and colleges, special programmes in rural areas and public outreach activities across the district. Officials said the initiative has been designed to make people more familiar with common cyber fraud techniques, including fake links, OTP scams, online banking fraud, digital arrest scams and social media-related crimes.
District officials stressed that public awareness is among the most effective tools for preventing cybercrime. The administration said students and families need to understand how fraudsters operate and how seemingly routine requests for information, application downloads or financial verification can lead to the loss of money and personal data.
A cyber awareness book was also unveiled at the launch. Prepared using information from FIRs registered in the district over the past year, the publication explains 30 common methods allegedly used by cybercriminals. The material has been prepared in simple Hindi and English and uses cartoons and illustrations to make the content easier to understand, particularly for children and first-time internet users.
The administration has planned dedicated cyber safety sessions in schools as part of the campaign. Government schools will be encouraged to nominate a “Cyber Mitra” who can help fellow students understand basic online safety practices. Students will also be encouraged to share cyber safety messages during morning assemblies, allowing awareness efforts to reach families and communities through children.
The administration plans to distribute the awareness book among government and private schools across Jharkhand. Support from the education department has also been sought to expand the programme and ensure that the material reaches a larger number of students.
The campaign will not be restricted to educational institutions. It will extend to villages, workplaces and public places through a combination of traditional and digital outreach methods. Two LED-equipped publicity vehicles were flagged off to travel through different police station areas and screen videos explaining cyber fraud techniques and preventive measures.
Awareness messages will also be displayed on hoardings and circulated through social media platforms and influencers. Multiplexes are expected to screen cyber safety videos during all shows next month, providing another avenue to reach the wider public.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said public awareness has become a critical component of cybercrime prevention because fraudsters increasingly exploit trust, urgency and fear rather than relying only on sophisticated technology. He emphasised that people should verify the identity of callers, avoid clicking unknown links or downloading unverified applications and immediately report suspicious financial transactions to the bank and cybercrime authorities.
The Future Crime Research Foundation also stressed the importance of sustained community-level cyber awareness. The foundation said educational programmes should cover not only financial fraud but also protection of personal information, mobile devices, social media accounts and digital identities.
Officials have urged cybercrime victims not to feel embarrassed or hesitate to report incidents. Prompt reporting can be critical in cases involving unauthorised financial transactions because early action can improve the chances of freezing or tracing the transferred funds.
Hundreds of students and teachers from educational institutions across the district participated in the launch programme. Students took a pledge to spread cyber safety information among their families, friends, neighbours and communities. Officials said collective vigilance is essential because cybercriminals increasingly target people across age groups and social backgrounds.
The campaign also comes after recognition of Dhanbad Police’s efforts in combating cybercrime. The district police was recently honoured with a national “Excellence Award” by the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) team for its work in the field.
With the five-day campaign, authorities aim to turn cyber safety awareness into a broader community effort. From classrooms and rural gatherings to public screens and social media, the administration plans to use multiple platforms to educate residents and reduce their vulnerability to increasingly sophisticated online fraud.
