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Surat Police Issues Fresh Warning Over Cyber Fraud

Citizens’ Awareness and Caution can Prevent Many Digital Frauds: Surat Police

· Cyber criminals are cheating individuals and senior citizens through methods such as loan scams, investment fraud, identity theft, digital arrest phishing, OTP fraud and fake job offers

· Digital and cyber fraud should be reported immediately to the National Cyber Crime Helpline number 1930

Considering the rising cases of cyber fraud and digital financial scams across the country, Bajaj Finance Limited (BFL), India’s largest private-sector NBFC and part of Bajaj Finserv, spread awareness in Surat through its “Knockout Digital Fraud” campaign. The campaign is part of its ongoing efforts to improve public awareness about financial and cyber safety.

The initiative is in line with the RBI’s Fraud Risk Management guidelines. It focuses on common cyber risks such as phishing, OTP fraud, fake loan offers, investment scams, digital arrest fraud, and fake links shared on social media and messaging platforms. Experts stressed the need to protect personal and banking information and urged citizens to stay careful while making online transactions.

Speaking during Bajaj Finance’s “Knockout Digital Fraud” awareness campaign, PSI Krishna Asodariya of the Surat Cyber Crime team urged citizens to follow the principle of “Think Before You Click”. He stressed the need to check unknown links, calls and messages before responding to them.

“Cyber fraud is a growing social problem, and users must be careful while using digital platforms. Sharing personal information carelessly can allow fraudsters to misuse it. The ‘golden hour’ is very important. If a victim reports the fraud by calling 1930 within the first hour, there is a 90% chance of recovering the lost money. Remember, the first 60 minutes are very important,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, a BFL spokesperson said, “At Bajaj Finance, protecting our customers from financial fraud is a top priority. Through regular advice on digital platforms, social media channels and community outreach programmes, we are working to increase awareness about cyber risks and help citizens stay alert and cyber-safe.”

Bajaj Finance Limited (BFL) organised more than 100 workshops across different parts of the country during the last financial year. The initiative is in line with the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Fraud Risk Management guidelines for NBFCs and aims to improve public awareness about digital safety. The programme also covered common frauds involving fake social media accounts, WhatsApp groups and fake websites that pretend to be financial institutions or their employees to cheat customers.

Experts and guests present at the programme included members of the Surat Cyber Crime team, retired ACP Vinay Shukla, and Mr Bhadresh Dalal, Dean of V. T. Choksi Law College. Students and faculty members of V. T. Choksi Law College also took part in the programme and helped make it a success.

Citizens are advised to stay alert, never share OTPs or banking credentials, and immediately report suspicious activity to the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Reporting fraud quickly greatly increases the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions and recovering the money.