SAMBA, OCT 7: In a district-wide push to strengthen digital safety and equip young internet users with the tools to recognise online fraud, Samba Police observed Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas by conducting cyber awareness programmes across educational institutions, focusing on emerging cyber threats, financial frauds and safe practices on digital platforms.
The awareness drive was organised at Shivaji Public School, Sumb; Government Higher Secondary School, Mansar; Parveen Higher Secondary School, Supwal; Narsingh Vidya Peeth Higher Secondary School, Rajpura; Vinod Vidhaya Mandir Institution of Education, Nonath Ghagwal; GHSS Ramgarh; GHSS Gho Brahmana; and Devika International School, Purmandal, with large numbers of students participating in the interactive sessions.
During the programmes, police personnel explained common forms of cybercrime and the tactics used by fraudsters to deceive victims and gain access to their money, accounts and personal information. Particular emphasis was placed on UPI and digital-payment fraud, with students advised to verify recipient details before every transaction and never disclose their UPI PIN, OTP, passwords, ATM PIN, debit or credit card information or other banking credentials.
The participants were also sensitised about the growing menace of “digital arrest” scams, in which fraudsters impersonate police personnel, government officials or other authorities and use threats of arrest, investigation or legal proceedings to intimidate victims into transferring money. Police advised students to remain composed, avoid complying with such demands and verify any purported official communication through legitimate channels.
The sessions further highlighted the importance of cyber hygiene, including the use of strong and regularly updated passwords, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on social media accounts and exercising caution while accepting online friend requests. Students were encouraged to interact online only with known and trusted individuals and avoid sharing sensitive personal information with strangers.
A key component of the campaign was familiarisation with official mechanisms for reporting cybercrime. Participants were informed about the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP) and the 1930 cybercrime helpline, particularly for immediate reporting of financial cyber frauds.
The district-wide initiative underscored the importance of early cyber awareness among students and youth, who increasingly rely on digital payments, social media and online services, and reinforced the role of preventive awareness in limiting the impact of cyber-enabled financial crimes.
