Safeguard Against Cyber Crime in India: Complaints, Fraud, and Prevention Strategies

April 01, 2024

Cyber crimes, also known as online cyber crimes or computer crimes, are crimes that involve computers and networks which may or may not be financially driven. For example, unauthorised download of music files, job-related fraud, cyber fraud, physical or sexual abuse, etc. LawRato provides easy explanations about cybercrime along with insights into cybercrime complaints, cyber fraud, and related cases.

India harbours the second-largest number of internet users. This gives rise to various complex situations, resulting in a whopping 65893 online cyber crime cases registered in the year 2022, as was highlighted in the latest report by NCRB (National Crime Record Bureau) .

You can find exceptional law guides explaining the role of cybercrime complaint centres, understanding online fraud in cybercrime, and its nitty-gritty to prevent internet crimes or computer crimes from happening, all at a single click at Cyber Crime law guide in India | LawRato

What are the Types of Cyber Crime?

Cyber Crime covers a wide range of offences. These offences are new and distinct from traditional crimes. Therefore, we will be discussing by classifying it into types.

Identity Theft: It is the act of stealing another's identity. Cybercriminals snatch away personal information like names, addresses, etc. Section 66C of the IT Act and sections 419 & 420 of IPC deal with identity theft, cheating by impersonation, and fraudulent acts. For example: A hacker swiping your bank credentials and assuming your digital personality.
Banking Fraud: It includes all credit card fraud and digital banking fraud. Here you will be manipulated to give out details and credentials of your credit card or digital banking systems to draw off funds. Sections 43 and 66D of the IT Act cover unauthorised access and cheating by personation using a computer resource. For example: A has manipulated B to share his credit card credentials. A now has the authority over B's card, using which he can draw money or use it for buying illegal items. Here A is said to have committed banking fraud.

If you want to speak to an expert lawyer about any such credit card fraud, click here .
Psychological Tricks: This is when psychological tricks manipulate a person to reveal his/ her confidential information. Section 66E of the IT Act addresses the violation of privacy by capturing, transmitting, or publishing private images while Sections 415 and 416 of the IPC deal with cheating and forgery by impersonation. For example: Phishing emails that look like legitimate messages from banks, urging recipients to click on malicious links or share personal data.
Attacks through Mobile Applications: Certain mobile apps can exploit weaknesses in mobile to compromise user data and steal sensitive information. Sections 43A and 66F of the IT Act deal with compensation for failure to protect data and cyber terrorism. For example: A installs a certain game app, but it later gains permissions and then misuses this access for ulterior motives.
Social media-related Attacks: These are the exploitation of social media platforms to spread misinformation, defame individuals, or manipulate public opinion. Sections 153A and 505 of the IPC address promoting enmity and spreading rumours. For example: Y, an influencer, is being trolled with memes and hashtags. Y is a victim of social media-related attacks.
Virus Attacks on Personal Computers: A virus can enter computers and steal data, corrupt files, or hold the system hostage. Sections 43B and 66E of the IT Act deal with data breaches and violations of privacy. For example: A receives an innocuous email attachment and once he opens it, he finds all his files locked and receives a notification asking for money in exchange for the passcode.

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Prevention Against Cyber Crime

Following are some steps to prevent cyber crime:

Use of complex key/password for separate accounts.
Use your online profiles safely by keeping them private. Make sure to keep your social networking profiles (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and so on) private. Make sure to double-check your security settings. Take caution with the information you put on the internet. Once it's on the Internet, it's there for good.
Mobile devices are exposed to dangerous software. Taking certain steps like downloading software from known sources, regularly updating the operating system, installing anti-virus software, utilising a secure lock screen, etc, ensures the safety of your mobile device.
Safeguarding sensitive data by encryption.
Be vigilant when providing personal information such as your name, address, phone number, etc., over the Internet.
Secure your computers with security software such as Firewall and antivirus software and ensure basic internet security.

No worries if you have missed any of the above precautionary measures. LawRato provides the list of top-ranking advocates across 700+ cities in India who specialise in Cyber Crime . Consult these experts and discuss your situation.

Where to report a Cyber Crime?

In case you receive or come across fraud SMS, e-mail, link, or phone calls asking for your sensitive personal information or bank details or are subjected to social media-related cyber crime like impersonation, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, or any other cyber crimes.

Report to the nearest police station immediately.
You can also report a cyber crime complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal .

In case you have shared an OTP, any other sensitive personal information, or bank details or have noticed any unauthorised transaction in your bank account, you must be extra vigilant and report any such incident immediately. Advice from an expert cyber crime lawyer is absolutely necessary.

While reporting an incident, you must provide information such as:

& bull Time of incident & bull Information on the affected system/network & bull Symptoms observed To know how to register a cyber crime complaint in India, read through our law guide, which provides step-by-step procedures for filing such a complaint at How to Register a Cyber Crime Complaint | Cyber Crime Law Guide (lawrato.com)

FAQs

Q1. What happens if someone files a false cyber complaint?

It is a crime to report any false complaint, including that of a cyber crime, punishable under the IPC.

Q2. What if I file a complaint without uploading information?

Less information about the incident will hinder or delay the prompt response by the police authorities. So, it is recommended to upload as much information as possible. Consult a lawyer if you are worried or have an issue in disclosing such information.

Q3. How can I handle phishing emails?

You have to be vigilant and verify the legitimacy of such emails before you share any information or click on any links or attachments.

What are the Types of Cyber Crime?

Cyber Crime covers a wide range of offences. These offences are new and distinct from traditional crimes. Therefore, we will be discussing by classifying it into types.

Identity Theft: It is the act of stealing another's identity. Cybercriminals snatch away personal information like names, addresses, etc. Section 66C of the IT Act and sections 419 & 420 of IPC deal with identity theft, cheating by impersonation, and fraudulent acts. For example: A hacker swiping your bank credentials and assuming your digital personality.
Banking Fraud: It includes all credit card fraud and digital banking fraud. Here you will be manipulated to give out details and credentials of your credit card or digital banking systems to draw off funds. Sections 43 and 66D of the IT Act cover unauthorised access and cheating by personation using a computer resource. For example: A has manipulated B to share his credit card credentials. A now has the authority over B's card, using which he can draw money or use it for buying illegal items. Here A is said to have committed banking fraud.

If you want to speak to an expert lawyer about any such credit card fraud, click here.
Psychological Tricks: This is when psychological tricks manipulate a person to reveal his/ her confidential information. Section 66E of the IT Act addresses the violation of privacy by capturing, transmitting, or publishing private images while Sections 415 and 416 of the IPC deal with cheating and forgery by impersonation. For example: Phishing emails that look like legitimate messages from banks, urging recipients to click on malicious links or share personal data.
Attacks through Mobile Applications: Certain mobile apps can exploit weaknesses in mobile to compromise user data and steal sensitive information. Sections 43A and 66F of the IT Act deal with compensation for failure to protect data and cyber terrorism. For example: A installs a certain game app, but it later gains permissions and then misuses this access for ulterior motives.
Social media-related Attacks: These are the exploitation of social media platforms to spread misinformation, defame individuals, or manipulate public opinion. Sections 153A and 505 of the IPC address promoting enmity and spreading rumours. For example: Y, an influencer, is being trolled with memes and hashtags. Y is a victim of social media-related attacks.
Virus Attacks on Personal Computers: A virus can enter computers and steal data, corrupt files, or hold the system hostage. Sections 43B and 66E of the IT Act deal with data breaches and violations of privacy. For example: A receives an innocuous email attachment and once he opens it, he finds all his files locked and receives a notification asking for money in exchange for the passcode.

Prevention Against Cyber Crime

Following are some steps to prevent cyber crime:

Use of complex key/password for separate accounts.
Use your online profiles safely by keeping them private. Make sure to keep your social networking profiles (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and so on) private. Make sure to double-check your security settings. Take caution with the information you put on the internet. Once it's on the Internet, it's there for good.
Mobile devices are exposed to dangerous software. Taking certain steps like downloading software from known sources, regularly updating the operating system, installing anti-virus software, utilising a secure lock screen, etc, ensures the safety of your mobile device.
Safeguarding sensitive data by encryption.
Be vigilant when providing personal information such as your name, address, phone number, etc., over the Internet.
Secure your computers with security software such as Firewall and antivirus software and ensure basic internet security.

No worries if you have missed any of the above precautionary measures. LawRato provides the list of top-ranking advocates across 700+ cities in India who specialise in Cyber Crime. Consult these experts and discuss your situation.

Where to report a Cyber Crime?

Report to the nearest police station immediately.
You can also report a cyber crime complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

While reporting an incident, you must provide information such as:

FAQs

Q1. What happens if someone files a false cyber complaint?

It is a crime to report any false complaint, including that of a cyber crime, punishable under the IPC.

Q2. What if I file a complaint without uploading information?

Q3. How can I handle phishing emails?

You have to be vigilant and verify the legitimacy of such emails before you share any information or click on any links or attachments.

Advocate Chikirsha Mohanty

4.0 | 2+ user ratings

Greater Kailash - 1, Delhi

5 years

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