ANJALI YADAV | Dehradun
A sharp rise in cyber fraud cases in Dehradun and elsewhere has prompted banks to strengthen security systems and increase awareness campaigns, as the officials warn that scamming methods are becoming more advanced and difficult to detect.
Bank officials said that the fraudsters are now using a mix of traditional tricks and new digital methods to target customers, especially senior citizens, students and middle-class households. In response, banks are adding extra layers of protection and urging customers to remain alert while making online transactions.
An official of Punjab National Bank (PNB) here said that the banks are introducing stronger password systems, biometric verification and additional monitoring to protect customer accounts. He also advised people not to share OTPs, bank details or click on unknown links. According to him, quick reporting of fraud also plays an important role in reducing financial loss.
A senior official of IDFC First bank said that the awareness campaigns are being carried out through SMS, email and WhatsApp alerts. He noted that most fraud cases still happen when customers unknowingly share confidential information. For transactions above Rs 10 lakh, banks have added extra verification checks before approval, he said.
Special Task Force senior superintendent of police Ajai Singh told The Pioneer that OTP scams remain the most common, with fraudsters often posing as bank staff. However, newer scams such as call forwarding tricks and fake verification calls are also increasing. Another growing concern is the so-called “digital arrest” scam, where criminals pretend to be police or government officials and threaten victims with legal action to extort money. Singh warned about video call blackmail scams, in which victims are shown objectionable content and later threatened. Investment and job frauds are spreading on social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, where scammers promise high returns or easy income before demanding advance payments. The SSP added that the recovery of lost money remains difficult and depends largely on how quickly victims report the incident through the cybercrime helpline 1930 or official complaint portals. Currently, recovery rates remain low, at around 15 per cent.
Investigations have also found the use of mule bank accounts to move stolen money through multiple channels. Police said that some networks are linked to international operations based in Dubai and Nigeria, making tracking more challenging.
