Bharatpur, the new Jamtara
Contents
Jamtara – the Webseries, exposed Jamtara, the Cybercrime hub. Now, the new Cybercrime hub is the holy city of Mathura & Bharatpur. A recent investigation by the Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF) has shed light on the alarming surge in financial cybercrimes within India. Among these crimes, UPI fraud now constitutes nearly half of all online fraudulent activities. In the ever-evolving realm of India’s digital landscape, innovation and criminal activity coexist. The FCRF, a startup affiliated with IIT Kanpur, has recently conducted a comprehensive study analyzing cybercrime trends in the nation from January 2020 to June 2023.
The Dominance of Financial Frauds
Financial frauds have taken the lead, accounting for a staggering 77.41% of all cybercrimes. These fraudulent activities primarily revolve around Internet Banking Fraud, encompassing tactics such as debit/credit card fraud, demat/depository fraud, fraudulent calls/vishing (impersonating reputable companies over calls to solicit bank details and credit card numbers), and UPI Fraud. Of particular concern is the significant increase in UPI fraud, making up a troubling 47.25% of all online financial wrongdoings. Online and social media-related frauds follow closely, comprising 12% of the total. These include acts like impersonation, cyberbullying, sexual harassment, and phishing.
India’s Leading Cybercrime District
According to FCRF’s analysis, only ten districts account for 80% of reported cybercrime incidents in India. Bharatpur district in Rajasthan takes the top spot as India’s most cybercrime-prone region, responsible for a significant 18% of reported cybercrimes. Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, closely follows in second place with 12%. Nuh in Haryana contributes to 11% of the nation’s cybercrime incidents.
Interestingly, Jamtara district in Jharkhand, known as the setting of the Indian Netflix original series “Jamtara – Sabka Number Ayega,” which revolves around a phishing racket, is ranked fifth on this list.
Factors Nurturing Cybercrime
The study identifies several contributing factors fueling the rise of cybercrime:
- Low technical entry barriers enable individuals with limited expertise to engage in cybercriminal activities.
- Inadequate verification processes on online platforms facilitate the creation of fake identities.
- Easy access to fake accounts and rented SIM cards on the black market.
- The affordability of AI-driven tools empowers criminals to automate and expand their attacks.
I was wondering what is common between Jamtara and Bharatpur. No jobs, Literate youth, the socio-economic structure of not leaving the hometown, parental pressure, and access to Wi-Fi. This is an obnoxious use of Wi-Fi. Generally, this happens with children when they find a new toy for skill or freedom. They misuse it. Amidst rising aspirations raised by reels and testosterone levels, they tend to fool around. A subtle desire to outsmart others gives them a winning feeling.
Cybercrime Experts: What They Say
Amit Dube, the cybercrime expert once said “I would like to believe that the whole world is a software programme and I would like to change the world, provided I have the source code“. He agrees that there is a need to have agreement across various sectors, including law enforcement, government, and corporations. He notes that by fostering digital awareness and equipping stakeholders with the necessary skills, India can collectively bolster its defenses against cyber threats and create a safer digital environment for all.
Professor Triveni Singh, SP (cybercrime), U.P., led the online training program that covered more than 1100 police stations and engaged 1200 screens. More such initiatives are needed if we wish to save the innocent masses falling prey to these greedy criminals.
Mr. Arun SIngh, CEO, of IIantus Technologies believes that “Business transformation cannot be achieved without having strong technical leadership in-house and building an ecosystem to ingest best practices and skilled talent from the industry”. He says, “Good and Bad guys will always be there in cyberspace. Guard yourself against Bad Guys!”
