Cyber police launch whatsApp initiative to protect senior citizens from online fraud
HASAN HADI /Dehradun
The Cyber Crime Police have launched a new initiative to prevent online fraud by connecting senior citizens and at least one member from every family to a dedicated WhatsApp community. For this purpose, the unit has issued WhatsApp number 9412080875, through which people can join the group. After joining, members receive daily messages in the morning and evening with tips and guidance on how to stay safe from cyber fraud. Notably, the initiative comes after several serious cyber fraud incidents, including the recent case of an elderly woman swindled of Rs 3.05 crore in a so- called ‘digital arrest’ scam.
Speaking of the launch, the ASP, Cyber Cell, Kush Mishra said that a Uttarakhand Cyber Recovery Officer, Bhavand Singh has been deputed to the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) in Delhi to help protect the money of Uttarakhand residents. He explained that when a victim calls the national cyber helpline number 1930 and the defrauded amount is large, the officer stationed at CFMC immediately receives the information and takes quick action to try to stop the transaction and prevent further loss.
Mishra further said that most fraudsters target senior citizens in digital arrest scams. According to data, around 30 percent of cases are related to digital arrest scams, while 70 per cent are investment fraud cases. “The fraudsters first build trust by posing as officials from the police or the CBI. After gaining the potential victim’s confidence, they cleverly instil the fear of arrest in them and then demand money,” he said and added that about one percent of fraudsters use voice spoofing technology to copy the victim’s voice and call their relatives to create panic and extort money.
Sharing more details, Mishra said that in 2025, people in the State lost around Rs 170 crore to cyber fraud. “Recovering the money lost through such frauds is often difficult because many fraudsters operate from abroad and use multiple bank accounts to transfer and hide the funds,” he noted.
