In a troubling trend that reflects the shifting nature of online crime in India, Goa Police have sounded the alarm over a sharp rise in cyber frauds targeting the state’s elderly population. According to official data, 40 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed so far this year, and nearly 60% of the victims of investment scams are senior citizens. The picture is even grimmer for “digital arrest” cases—where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officers—with over 90% of victims aged above 60.
Police Inspector Deepak Pednekar, who heads the Cybercrime Police Station in Panaji, said the trend underscores a dangerous combination of trust and vulnerability. “Senior citizens are not tech-savvy, they’re easier to manipulate, they have substantial savings, and most importantly, they rarely consult anyone before making online investments,” Pednekar said.
How Fraudsters Prey on Trust and Technology Gaps
The scams range from fake stock trading platforms to investment apps promising unrealistic returns. Fraudsters often lure victims through social media, chat apps, or cold calls posing as financial advisors. Once a victim downloads a malicious app or transfers funds, the money is swiftly rerouted to multiple bank accounts—often across borders—making it nearly impossible to recover.
“If the payment doesn’t go to the company’s verified account, it’s a fraud, plain and simple,” Pednekar cautioned. “Scammers create a sense of urgency or promise guaranteed profits to push victims into quick action.”
Digital arrest scams—an increasingly prevalent form of cyber extortion—exploit fear instead of greed. Victims are made to believe they are under investigation for crimes such as money laundering or drug trafficking and are coerced into transferring money to “verify” their innocence. Many are forced to remain on live video calls for hours, mimicking police interrogation.
Losses Cross ₹100 Crore, But Real Damage May Be Higher
According to Goa Police data, cybercriminals have defrauded residents of more than ₹100 crore in 2025 alone—a figure nearly matching last year’s total of ₹101 crore. But officers admit the real number may be much higher. “Most victims don’t report due to embarrassment or the belief that nothing can be done,” a senior police official said.
Investigations reveal that many fraud networks operate from abroad—primarily from Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe—making arrests difficult. These transnational networks rely on mule accounts, cryptocurrency transfers, and fake call centers to mask their operations.
“Once the money leaves the country, it’s gone in seconds,” said a senior investigator involved in several of the state’s cybercrime probes. “The challenge is not just technical—it’s geopolitical.”
Government’s Push for Cyber Literacy
In response to the surge, the Goa government has rolled out a Cyber Crime Awareness Action Plan, introducing cyber safety modules in school curricula from Class VI onwards. The plan aims to build awareness early, before digital illiteracy translates into lifelong vulnerability.
The initiative also extends across 13 government departments, each tasked with implementing preventive measures and public awareness campaigns. Officials hope the approach will help close the information gap that scammers exploit—especially among the elderly, who remain the most lucrative targets.
Pednekar, however, insists that awareness must be personal as much as institutional. “No one can protect your money better than you,” he said. “Whether you’re 18 or 80, if an online deal looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is.”
