Cybercriminals often exploit festive seasons to target unsuspecting users. During Navratri and Diwali in 2023, cybercrime in India rose by 54%, and in 2024, it increased by 60%. A similar rise of around 60% is expected this year, experts warn.
Fraudsters lure people with tempting festival offers, heavy discounts, and gift cards, tricking them into sharing codes or sensitive banking information. Even a brief lapse in vigilance can lead to substantial financial losses.
Between January 2020 and May 2023, Gujarat alone reported 1.59 lakh complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Gujarat is among the nine most targeted states, ranking sixth in officially recorded cases. Nationwide, 22.57 lakh complaints were filed during this period, but FIRs were registered in only about 2% of cases.
With Diwali approaching, cyber experts advise users to remain alert. They recommend never sharing OTPs, banking passwords, or net-banking details, safeguarding ATM PINs, and regularly updating passwords to prevent financial loss during festive shopping.
Experts also caution that fraudsters are likely to increasingly use artificial intelligence to carry out scams and evade detection. This festive season, AI-driven attacks could account for up to 20% of cybercrime cases. Recent data presented in the Lok Sabha revealed that in Gujarat, a cyber fraud case occurs roughly every two hours.
A breakdown of common cybercrime types shows:
- 40% – Fake customer care numbers, refund scams, KYC expiry frauds
- 8% – AEPS frauds, biometric cloning
- 20% – Online booking scams, fake franchises, QR code frauds
- 8% – Android mobile malware
- 40% – Investment scams, task-based scams, digital arrest, FedEx scams
- 23% – Loan app frauds, illegal lending platforms
- 6% – Ransomware, hacking
Cyber experts emphasize that vigilance is the best safeguard during the festive season. Users are urged to stay cautious, verify offers carefully, and prioritize cybersecurity to ensure celebrations remain safe and joyful.
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