Following a sharp rise in digital payment frauds, identity theft incidents, and online banking scams, the Government of India has launched a nationwide cybersecurity awareness and protection campaign aimed at strengthening digital safety for millions of users. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology confirmed that cybercrime complaints have increased by over 35% in the past year, driven largely by phishing calls, fake investment apps, UPI frauds, and social-media–based financial traps targeting both urban and rural populations. In response, the government has introduced stricter verification rules for digital platforms, new AI-based fraud-detection tools for banks, and a multilingual public awareness program to educate citizens about safe online practices. Additionally, a rapid-response cyber helpline has been expanded across all states to help victims freeze transactions and report cybercrimes within minutes. Cyber experts praised the initiative but stressed that continuous updating of digital security systems and large-scale training of law-enforcement teams will be crucial to curb the growing cybercrime network operating across borders.
Government Launches Nationwide Cybersecurity Drive After Surge in Digital Frauds
