Cyber Zone

Scams explained, what to do when it happens, and real cases

Cyber Blog

Cyber law, online fraud and digital safety — explained for the person it is happening to.

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Real cases

Studies of cyber-crimes that actually happened — what occurred, the warning signs, the sections that applied and what to do differently.

All case studies
  • Identity theft

    Courier and customs scam: 'drugs were found in a parcel in your name'

    This is a composite illustration assembled from similar complaints across the country, not the record of one real case; the amount only shows the typical order of magnitude, while the method, the warning signs and the sections cited are real. The essential point is that no government department collects a fine over the phone. Any notice from Customs, the police or the NCB comes in writing, not as a 'clearance fee' settled on a call.

    Amount lost
    ₹3 lakh
    Not recovered
  • Identity theft

    Fake customer care: a number from search results and a shared screen

    This is a composite illustration built from the near-identical complaints received every day, not the record of one real case; the amount only indicates the typical order of magnitude, while the method, the warning signs and the sections cited are real. The root of the problem here is that the number came from search results or an advertisement, not from the company's own website. And the biggest rule of all: never install a remote-access app because someone on a call asks you to, since the moment your screen is shared your OTP and banking details are plainly visible to them.

    Amount lost
    ₹95,000
    Partially recovered
  • Digital arrest

    Digital arrest: extortion through a fake video-call 'arrest'

    This is a composite illustration drawn from thousands of similar complaints, not the record of one real case; the amount only shows the typical order of magnitude of such a loss, while the method, the warning signs and the sections cited below are real. There is no such thing as a 'digital arrest' in Indian law, and no agency arrests anyone over a video call. The callers pose as police, CBI, ED or Customs officers, keep the person on camera for hours, and have money transferred 'for verification'. The only correct response to such a call is to hang up.

    Amount lost
    ₹12 lakh
    Partially recovered