A growing wave of digital fraud is sweeping across India, with cybercriminals targeting people of all ages through social media, fake job portals, investment scams, and impersonation tactics. A recent report highlights how different age groups are falling victim to specific types of online frauds, exploiting their unique vulnerabilities and aspirations.
Students Lured with Easy Money
Young adults aged 18 to 20, especially college students, are increasingly being trapped in job scam networks. The fraudsters reach out through Instagram and Telegram, offering quick money for small online tasks. In one such case, Ritika Sharma, a 19-year-old student from Delhi, received a WhatsApp link promising Rs 10,000 for reviewing hotel services. She was directed to a fake portal that asked for a Rs 1,000 registration fee. After paying, she never heard back.
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Another case involved Akash Verma, 20, from Lucknow, who shared his Aadhaar and bank details for a supposed remote internship. His identity was misused for fraudulent transactions, landing him in legal trouble.
Professionals Trapped in Investment Scams
The 30 to 45 age group — mainly working professionals — are falling prey to investment scams. Driven by the desire for passive income, many end up on fake stock advisory platforms or cryptocurrency trading apps.
Rahul Sinha, a 36-year-old IT engineer from Bengaluru, lost Rs 12 lakh to a Telegram group offering “guaranteed crypto profits.” Initially, he received small returns to build trust, but later, the scammer vanished after demanding a large investment.
Seniors Fall for Digital Arrest Scams
Citizens between 50 and 70 years are being targeted by scammers impersonating police officers or government agents. Victims are threatened with arrest over alleged involvement in money laundering or drug trafficking unless they pay a fine immediately.
Kamla Devi, a 64-year-old retired teacher from Jaipur, received a call from someone claiming to be from the CBI. She was told that her PAN card was linked to a crime and would be arrested unless she transferred Rs 3 lakh to “verify her identity.”
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Experts Warn and Urge Awareness
Cyber experts stress the need for digital literacy across all age groups. “Fraudsters know who to target and how. Awareness and caution are the first lines of defense,” said Triveni Singh, a cybercrime expert and former IPS officer.
For help in spreading cybercrime awareness, individuals and institutions can reach out to experts at www.Futurecrime.org. Empowering people with knowledge is the most effective way to fight back against online fraud.