A new report highlights growing concerns around online fraud, placing India as the second most targeted country for cyber scams worldwide. According to the First Half 2026 Adversarial Threat Report released by Meta Platforms, cybercriminals are increasingly using advanced tools and global networks to exploit users across digital platforms.
The findings show that English-speaking users in the United States are the most targeted, followed closely by users in India. Experts say India’s expanding digital economy, affordable internet access and widespread smartphone usage make it an attractive market for fraudsters. Cyber law expert Krishna Grandhi pointed out that moderate income levels, rising digital payment adoption and low digital literacy further increase vulnerability.
One major trend identified is the rise of “digital arrest” scams, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials through calls or video to pressure victims into transferring money. Experts like Prashant Mali and Krishna Grandhi stressed the need for stronger legal and regulatory action. The report also warns that generative AI is enabling more advanced fraud, with criminals creating realistic fake identities, detailed profiles and natural conversations. These “hyper-personalized” attacks often use deepfake videos and synthetic content, making scams harder to detect.
The report also highlights the global scale of these operations, with many scam networks targeting India operating from countries like Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. Enforcement is challenging due to jurisdiction issues and limited extradition agreements. Meta revealed that in 2025, it removed over 10.9 million Facebook and Instagram accounts, 600,000 Facebook Pages and 112,000 ad accounts linked to scams. Emerging threats include fake rental listings and fraudulent “funeral livestream” services. Experts have called for updated laws, improved digital literacy and stricter platform accountability to tackle the rising threat.
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