Police Launch Cyber Crime Awareness Drive Across City to Educate P
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Citizens urged to stay alert as police highlight rising cases of online scams, phishing, and digital fraud through outreach and live demonstrations
India — Monday, October 27, 2025
As cyber fraud incidents continue to surge nationwide, the Bengaluru City Police have launched a week-long Cyber Crime Awareness Drive to educate citizens about the growing threat of online scams and digital fraud. The initiative, which began on Monday, aims to reach thousands of residents through street awareness campaigns, school workshops, and community outreach sessions.
Police officials said the campaign’s primary goal is to equip citizens with practical knowledge to identify, avoid, and report cybercrimes such as phishing, OTP frauds, investment scams, and fake job offers. The drive also highlights how victims can seek help through official helplines like 1930 and the cybercrime.gov.in portal.
Rising Cyber Threats Prompt Action
With India witnessing a significant spike in cyber frauds in recent years, local police departments have been under pressure to boost preventive action. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), cybercrime cases in India rose by over 30% in 2024, with Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi among the top cities affected.
“Cybercrime has become a daily menace — from fake investment schemes to romance scams and deepfake extortions. Our goal is to educate people before they become victims,” said Joint Commissioner (Crime) Dr. Ramesh Bhat, speaking at the flag-off event.
He added that many cases remain unreported because victims feel embarrassed or unaware of how to file a complaint. “We want to change that mindset through education and trust,” he said.
Interactive Campaigns Across Public Spaces
The cybercrime awareness drive is being held across multiple city zones, including MG Road, Indiranagar, Electronic City, and Yelahanka. Police personnel and cyber experts are visiting schools, colleges, IT parks, and residential complexes, conducting sessions on safe internet practices.
Activities include:
- Live demos on how scammers conduct phishing and UPI frauds.
- Short street plays highlighting real-life cyber fraud incidents.
- Q&A booths where people can ask officers about suspicious links, job scams, or fake profiles.
- Social media outreach through short videos and infographics explaining cyber hygiene.
“Awareness is our strongest defense,” said Cyber Crime Inspector Anita Shetty. “People often think cybercrime only happens to others. But the truth is, anyone with a smartphone or a social media account can become a target.”
Police Collaborate with Tech Firms and NGOs
To maximize impact, the city police have partnered with leading tech companies, digital safety NGOs, and educational institutions. Volunteers from major IT firms are joining the campaign to explain cybersecurity from a user’s perspective.
The Information Security Awareness Foundation (ISAF) and Cyber Safe India are supporting the effort by providing educational materials and conducting free cybersecurity workshops.
According to officials, collaboration between law enforcement and the private sector is essential because many online crimes originate outside state or even national boundaries. “The more we work together — police, tech firms, and citizens — the safer the digital ecosystem becomes,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Harish Rao.
Key Safety Tips Shared by Police
As part of the awareness sessions, the police issued a set of ten practical cyber safety guidelines:
- Never share OTPs or banking passwords with anyone, even if they claim to be from your bank.
- Avoid clicking unknown links received via SMS, WhatsApp, or email.
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
- Beware of online investment and job scams promising unrealistic returns.
- Verify buyer/seller identities before making payments on resale or e-commerce sites.
- Don’t share personal photos or videos online or with strangers.
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi for financial transactions.
- Regularly update mobile apps and antivirus software.
- Monitor children’s online activity and educate them about cyberbullying and privacy.
- Report immediately to 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in if you fall victim to fraud.
Schools and Colleges Join the Effort
In addition to public awareness events, the drive has reached over 120 schools and 40 colleges across Bengaluru. Cyber experts are holding sessions focused on teen safety, social media privacy, and gaming addiction.
At Christ University, a large crowd of students gathered for an interactive session where officers demonstrated how phishing websites imitate popular payment apps. The live demo ended with an appeal to “think before you click.”
Students expressed appreciation for the initiative. “It was shocking how real the fake sites looked. Now I’ll double-check every link,” said Nikita Sharma, a 21-year-old BCom student.
Social Media Amplification
Police are leveraging platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube to expand the campaign’s reach. Using hashtags like #CyberSafeCity, #ThinkBeforeYouClick, and #CyberAwareness2025, the department is posting short videos that explain different fraud types in simple terms.
According to data shared by the department’s digital wing, early posts have already reached more than 500,000 users within the first three days of the campaign. The department also plans to launch a WhatsApp alert service to notify citizens of emerging scams.
Why Awareness Is Key to Prevention
Experts agree that prevention through awareness is far more effective than investigation after the fact. With the majority of cybercrimes originating from remote locations, recovery of lost money or data remains challenging.
“Most cybercrimes succeed because victims are unaware of how scams operate,” said Dr. Nisha Menon, a cybersecurity researcher from IIIT-B. “A few seconds of hesitation — verifying a link, questioning a call — can prevent major losses.”
She added that cyber education should become a mandatory component of school curriculums to ensure long-term safety in the digital era.
Police Plan to Sustain the Campaign
The Bengaluru Police have announced that the Cyber Awareness Drive will become a monthly initiative moving forward, with specialized drives during festive and shopping seasons when online fraud spikes.
Future plans include an interactive mobile app for reporting scams and accessing cybersecurity resources, along with district-level awareness committees to sustain the outreach year-round.
“We cannot police the internet alone,” said Joint Commissioner Bhat. “The people are our first line of defense. Every citizen who learns to protect themselves becomes a barrier against cybercriminals.”
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