Special Awareness Campaign Conducted in Schools Under 'Cyber Smart Tuesday'; Students Given Tips to Protect Against Digital Arrest, Fake Links, and Online Fraud
Bhagalpur : In the digital age, while the internet has simplified our lives, the web of cybercriminals is also expanding rapidly. With the objective of curbing this growing threat and online fraud, Bhagalpur Police launched a comprehensive and special campaign on Tuesday. In accordance with the directives of the Cyber Crime and Security Unit of Police Headquarters, the 'Cyber Smart Tuesday' program was organized across the district. Under this campaign, a team of senior Bhagalpur police officers and cyber experts visited various schools and educational institutions to raise digital safety awareness among students. The main event was held at the historic district school of the city, where officials warned children about modern cyber fraud tactics.
Turnout at the Main Event Held at District School
The district school in Bhagalpur served as the primary epicenter of Tuesday's special awareness program, witnessing a massive gathering of students and teachers:
Presence of Top Officials: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramod Kumar Yadav, City SP Atulesh Jha, Additional Collector (ADM), and Cyber DSP cum Cyber Police Station In-charge Vinay Ranjan were specially present at the event.
Direct Interaction with Students: Officials established direct communication with the students, explaining that while utilizing technology is essential today, exercising caution regarding it is equally mandatory. Police officers told the students that they represent the future of the nation and that by remaining vigilant, they can protect their families and society from the clutches of cyber fraudsters.
New and Dangerous Modus Operandi of Cyber Criminals
During the program, Cyber DSP Vinay Ranjan and other experts used PowerPoint presentations and simple language to apprise students of various fraudulent methods currently in practice:
Digital Arrest: Fraudsters nowadays pose as CBI, ED, or Customs officers, terrorizing people over video calls and forcing them into confinement in a single room at home to extort lakhs of rupees. Students were warned that police or investigative agencies never execute digital arrests via video calls.
Fake Links and Phishing: Detailed information was provided on how bank accounts are drained by clicking on unfamiliar links sent under the pretext of paying electricity bills, updating bank accounts, or completing KYC.
QR Code and Screen Sharing Apps: Students were cautioned against fraudulent schemes involving part-time jobs, lure of massive profits in online investments, scanning QR codes during purchases, or downloading screen-sharing apps like AnyDesk or TeamViewer.
Fake Customer Care Numbers: Children were also alerted against financial frauds resulting from contacting fake customer care numbers found via Google searches.
'Success Mantras' Shared by Police Officers for Protection
During the program, students and teachers were provided with vital security tips that can help keep cyber fraud at bay:
Maintain Confidentiality: Never share your ATM card details, CVV, OTP, UPI PIN, or any information related to your bank account with anyone, under any circumstances.
Use Strong Passwords: Keep your social media and banking passwords strong and complex, and change them periodically. Additionally, utilize Two-Factor Authentication.
Limit Personal Information: Avoid making personal details (such as phone numbers, home addresses, daily routines) public on social media platforms.
Immediate Step to Take in Case of Fraud: The '1930' Helpline
Police officers emphasized to students that if anyone unknowingly falls victim to cyber fraud, they should take immediate action instead of panicking:
Call Immediately: Upon discovering the incident, immediately call the national cyber helpline number '1930' or register your complaint on the official portal cybercrime.gov.in.
Importance of the Golden Hour: The initial few hours in cyber crime cases are crucial. If a complaint is lodged in a timely manner, the chances of putting transactions on hold and recovering the defrauded amount increase significantly.
Campaign Extended to Other Educational Institutions Across the District
Not just the district school, but as part of 'Cyber Smart Tuesday', police teams also organized awareness programs in various schools and colleges across all subdivisions, police stations, and rural areas of the Bhagalpur district. Police officers imparted cyber safety nuances to students at several other institutions, including Ram Ratan Shahi High School. Teachers and students showered praise on this police initiative and resolved to pass this message along to their families and neighborhoods.
This awareness campaign executed by Bhagalpur Police under 'Cyber Smart Tuesday' is a highly commendable step. In today's era when children and youth are the heaviest users of digital media, apprising them of cyber crime threats is the need of the hour. This police endeavor will not only render the younger generation digitally safer and more cautious but also widen the scope of cyber literacy in society. Bhagalpur Police have indicated that this campaign will continue running in the coming weeks to ensure every citizen remains safe in this technological age.
