India’s ambitious Digital India mission holds immense promise for progress and empowerment. Yet, this digital revolution faces a growing threat: the alarming rise of cybercrime. Every day brings news of new modi operandi employed by cybercriminals, creating a significant hurdle in our journey towards a digitally empowered nation. People are losing their hard-earned money, falling victim to emotional manipulation in scams like romance and marriage fraud. Companies are losing money, sensitive data and the trust of their customers, suffering irreparable reputational damage.
The landscape of cybercrime is constantly evolving, with criminals employing increasingly sophisticated tactics. From phishing emails that cunningly lure individuals into revealing sensitive passwords and bank details, to ransomware attacks that lock victims out of their own files unless a ransom is paid, the digital world is rife with threats. Identity theft runs rampant as fraudsters impersonate unsuspecting individuals, while online banking fraud leads to devastating financial losses. Social media scams, with their web of fake profiles and deceptive posts, ensnare victims into fraudulent schemes, and cyberstalking or harassment leaves emotional scars. Organizations are not spared either, as data breaches and business email compromises wreak havoc, exposing sensitive information and manipulating financial transactions. Meanwhile, cryptocurrency scams promise extravagant returns to exploit investors and deepfakes – AI-crafted videos or audio to spread misinformation or tarnish reputations with chilling precision.
Understanding the severity of this growing threat, various initiatives have been launched to curb cybercrimes, ensure swift reporting and provide assistance to victims such as:
- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)
The Ministry of Home Affairs has established the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) in New Delhi. This centre serves as the nodal point for controlling cybercrimes across the country. It provides a comprehensive framework and ecosystem for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to collaborate effectively in tackling cyber threats.
- National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP)
To facilitate 24/7 reporting of cybercrimes, the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in/) has been created. This portal enables victims of cybercrimes, including financial fraud, to lodge their complaints quickly. Victims can also call the National Cybercrime Helpline at 1930 for immediate assistance.
- SMS Header Information
The Ministry of Communications has introduced a feature to track SMS header information. Users can access it at https://smsheader.trai.gov.in or send an SMS to 1909 with the format:
This initiative aims to curb fraudulent SMS-related activities.
- TAFCOP: Know Your Mobile Connections
Through the TAFCOP portal (https://tafcop.sancharsaathi.gov.in/telecomUser/), users can verify the number of mobile connections issued in their name. By entering their mobile number, captcha, and OTP, users can check for unauthorized or unnecessary connections and report them for deactivation.
- Chakshu: Reporting Suspected Fraud Communications
The government has launched a dedicated platform, Chakshu, to report suspected fraud communications. This includes fraudulent calls or messages related to bank accounts, KYC updates, payment wallets, gas or electricity connections, impersonation by government officials or relatives, and sextortion. Complaints can be lodged through https://sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc/Home/sfc-complaint.jsp within 30 days of receiving such communications.
- Reporting Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) or Spam
Citizens can report unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) or spam through voice calls or SMS via the Sanchar Saathi UCC Portal (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc/Home/ucc-complaint.jsp). The complaint must be filed within three days of receiving unwanted communication to ensure timely action.
- Tracking Lost or Stolen Mobile Devices
To help individuals recover their lost or stolen mobile phones, the CEIR Portal(https://ceir.sancharsaathi.gov.in/Request/CeirRequestStatus.jsp) allows users to check the status of their requests. By entering their request ID and captcha, users can track updates on their case.
- Unauthorized Electronic Banking Transactions
In case of fraudulent electronic banking transactions, victims should notify their bank or payment gateway immediately and call the RBI toll-free number 14440 for acknowledgment. Banks are obligated to resolve complaints within 90 days. If the bank does not respond within 30 days, rejects the complaint, or provides an unsatisfactory resolution, victims can escalate the issue to the RBI Ombudsman via https://cms.rbi.org.in. Complaints must be filed within one year
Issue and Way Forward
Despite these commendable initiatives, their impact is limited due to a lack of awareness and the fragmented nature of existing resources. Different and often cumbersome portals make it difficult for the common man to effectively utilize these tools. This lack of user-friendliness inadvertently empowers cyber criminals who continue to operate with impunity.
The solution lies in consolidating these valuable resources into a single, easily accessible platform. Imagine a user-friendly mobile application, available in multiple languages, integrating all relevant cyber safety and reporting tools. This “Cyber Rakshak” app could include:
=SMS header verification.
=Lost mobile reporting.
=A tool to check registered mobile connections.
=Access to the Chakshu portal for reporting financial fraud.
=Direct link to cybercrime.gov.in for filing complaints.
=Emergency helpline number (1930) integration.
=Cyber safety tips and educational resources in multiple languages.
=And any other initiative..
By consolidating these services into a single, intuitive app, the government can empower citizens to take control of their digital security. A multi-lingual interface and simplified UI/UX would ensure accessibility for a wider population, bridging the digital divide. Such an integrated approach, combined with widespread awareness campaigns, will be crucial in effectively combating cybercrime and securing the digital future of India.
Author is a practicing advocate in the Supreme Court and founding partner of the law firm, Ark Legal.