The Kerala Police’s Cyber Operations wing, in partnership with banks, is conducting webinars to raise awareness about various types of financial fraud and how to combat them. This initiative comes as a response to a worrying increase in financial fraud cases, aiming to educate citizens effectively. By collaborating closely with banking institutions, the police aim to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to safeguard themselves against fraudulent activities.
Harishankar, SP of Cyber Operations, emphasized the necessity of proactive measures in protecting citizens’ financial well-being, recognizing the significant threat posed by financial fraud. The awareness campaign, primarily conducted through webinars, covers topics such as common types of financial fraud, warning signs, and best practices for safeguarding personal and financial information.
These webinars offer citizens a convenient platform to access valuable information from their homes. The primary focus is on bank customers, who are identified as the main victims of financial crimes. Through collaboration with banks, webinar links are distributed to customers, ensuring broad participation across various districts.
Analysis by the Cyber Operations wing revealed that most victims are associated with specific banking institutions and districts. Various types of financial fraud, including scams related to illegal goods delivery, investment/trading, remote device access, fake customer support, fraudulent loan apps, romance scams, lottery frauds, and sextortion, are prevalent across the state.
The webinars are scheduled to be held weekly, with each district hosting multiple sessions. The police are aiming for maximum participation and have allocated time for addressing participants’ queries during the sessions.
The first webinar, held in Thiruvananthapuram, received positive feedback, highlighting the proactive approach taken by the Kerala Police and banking institutions. As financial fraud tactics evolve, initiatives like these are crucial in safeguarding individuals’ financial interests and the banking sector’s integrity.
While threats related to fraudulent loan apps persist, their operations are reportedly declining due to government interventions. The Cyber Operations wing hopes that collective action and informed citizens will contribute to creating a safer financial landscape in the state.
