Latest news with #IndianCyberCrimeCoordinationCentre
Deccan Herald
6 days ago
- General
- Deccan Herald
CBI arrests 'sexual predator' circulating child abuse material in Haryana
Using Interpol's International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database and Cyber Tipline Reports, generated by Google and submitted to Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), the CBI detected the material and identified the victims and perpetrator, they said.
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
136 fake portals offering Char Dham chopper service shut in last 5 months: Official
As many as 136 fake websites offering helicopter ride booking for Char Dham yatra were shut down in the last five months this year, police officials said. 117 mobile numbers, 35 WhatsApp numbers have also been blocked, while 61 bank accounts have been frozen in coordination with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs. In 2024, 18 such fake websites were shut, 45 Facebook pages were blocked, and 20 bank accounts were frozen while in 2023, 64 fake websites offering chopper service to Char Dham yatris were blocked. Also Read:Gangotri: Civic body collects over 2 tonne of clothes discarded by pilgrims in Ganga 'We are witnessing a shift in the tactics of cybercriminals,' said senior superintendent of police (STF) Navneet Singh Bhullar. 'Earlier, scammers operated through fake websites. Now, they are leveraging Facebook and Instagram pages, using ad boosts to promote fraudulent helicopter booking links and deceive users', Bhullar said. 'To address this threat, deputy inspector general (Law & Order), Dhirendra Gunjyal, has been appointed as the nodal officer for Meta under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act. Under his supervision, legal notices are being sent to Meta to remove misleading content and ads related to these fake helicopter bookings', he said. 'We are monitoring the cases on a daily basis. Notices are being issued to the concerned social media platforms through the nodal officer. We are also actively coordinating with the Ministry of Home Affairs, bank administrators, and telecom service providers for blocking fraudulent phone numbers', he added. According to police, the major reason for such cybercrime is that victims had no information about the authentic website for helicopter service booking. DSP Ankush Mishra of cyber cell said, 'They (fraudsters) are exploiting search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to make their fake websites appear at the top of search results when pilgrims search for booking sites. As a result, those who are unaware of the authentic Char Dham chopper booking websites fall into their trap, click on these links, and unknowingly enter their financial details to make payments. These fraudsters are operating from various parts of the country, including Bihar, Jharkhand, and Haryana,' he said. 'The only way to curb such cybercrime is spreading awareness among the public. The booking for the Char Dham chopper service should only be made through IRCTC's website Mishra said.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Time of India
Char Dham heli scam: 51 fake websites, 111 numbers blocked
Dehradun: Amid ongoing efforts to curb the Char Dham heli-booking scam, the state cybercrime unit has blocked a total of 51 fake booking websites and 111 mobile numbers used in related fraudulent activities across the country. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The data, shared by the state cybercrime unit on Thursday, also revealed that 56 bank accounts linked to fraudulent transactions have been frozen. The action was taken with support from the ministry of home affairs' Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) portal. "We have also reported 30 WhatsApp numbers used to circulate fake heli-booking messages across the country," said DSP Ankush Mishra of the state cybercrime unit. Mishra added that last year, the police had approached Google to block certain keywords associated with the scam, which led to the removal of several fraudulent websites from search results. "In line with directions from DIG (law & order) Dhirendra Gunjyal, several legal notices were also served to Meta, requesting the removal of fake advertisements related to heli-booking services from its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. These efforts will continue in the coming days," he said. Mishra urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling for such scams. "We want to remind people that Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is the only authorised platform for booking Char Dham helicopter services for devotees," he said. Dehradun: Amid ongoing efforts to curb the Char Dham heli-booking scam, the state cybercrime unit has blocked a total of 51 fake booking websites and 111 mobile numbers used in related fraudulent activities across the country. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The data, shared by the state cybercrime unit on Thursday, also revealed that 56 bank accounts linked to fraudulent transactions have been frozen. The action was taken with support from the ministry of home affairs' Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) portal. "We have also reported 30 WhatsApp numbers used to circulate fake heli-booking messages across the country," said DSP Ankush Mishra of the state cybercrime unit. Mishra added that last year, the police had approached Google to block certain keywords associated with the scam, which led to the removal of several fraudulent websites from search results. "In line with directions from DIG (law & order) Dhirendra Gunjyal, several legal notices were also served to Meta, requesting the removal of fake advertisements related to heli-booking services from its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. These efforts will continue in the coming days," he said. Mishra urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling for such scams. "We want to remind people that Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is the only authorised platform for booking Char Dham helicopter services for devotees," he said.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Time of India
Delhi schools promote digital safety awareness to prevent cybercrimes among students and staff
New Delhi: When 14-year-old Ambika received a message offering her a scholarship if she just clicked a link and shared her Aadhaar details, she almost believed it. It looked official — a logo, a govt-sounding name, and a promise that could change her life. But her finger paused above the screen. Just a few weeks ago, during morning assembly, her school warned them about this very trick. In response to a growing wave of cybercrimes targeting students, teachers, and schools, the Directorate of Education (DoE) took a critical step. A recent circular issued by the DoE mandates all Delhi govt schools to spread awareness about digital safety. The guidelines, developed using insights from a comprehensive handbook by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre under the ministry of home affairs, outline crucial dos and don'ts for online behaviour. "In view of the increasing number of cybercrimes and online frauds targeting students, school staff, and educational institutions, it is imperative to promote digital safety and responsible online behaviour." a DoE official said. For Ambika, and thousands like her, this isn't just a list of rules. It's the difference between falling for a scam and dodging a digital bullet. The guidelines encourage strong passwords, using two-factor authentication, updating devices regularly, avoiding public Wi-Fi for financial tasks, and never sharing sensitive information like OTPs or PINs. Students are also advised to download apps only from official stores and back up important data. The guidelines also warn about specific scams, like fake job offers, KYC frauds, and phishing attempts. "We even talked about QR codes. And never scan a code to receive money — that's a big red flag," said a teacher. The DoE circular doesn't stop at advice. It mandates schools to make this knowledge a part of daily life. To effectively raise awareness about digital safety, schools have been advised to read out the DoE's cyber safety guidelines during the morning assembly. This daily gathering provides a platform to reach all students and staff simultaneously, reinforcing key messages about responsible online behaviour. "It also helps create a culture of open conversation around cybersecurity, where students feel encouraged to ask questions and report anything suspicious," the teacher added. Visual reinforcement also plays a crucial role. Schools are directed to prominently display the digital safety advisory on their notice boards. These boards are visited frequently by students and staff and serve as daily reminders of best practices, such as not sharing OTPs, avoiding public Wi-Fi for financial transactions, and using official websites and apps. As per the DoE circular, another key step is organising regular awareness sessions, especially through computer teachers who are best equipped to explain the technical aspects of cyber safety. These sessions can be interactive, covering topics such as creating strong passwords, recognising suspicious links, and protecting personal information on social media. Through demonstrations and practical tips, students and staff gain hands-on understanding of how to stay safe online. Schools must also be prepared to respond swiftly to any cyber incidents or suspicious activities. According to the guidelines, in case a student or staff member encounters a potential threat — whether it's a phishing email, a fraudulent scholarship offer, or online bullying — the incident should be immediately reported to the head of school or the concerned district authority. Prompt escalation ensures that the issue is addressed quickly and appropriately, minimising risk and allowing authorities to take corrective action. "This is not just about preventing fraud. It's about creating responsible digital citizens. In today's day and age, the internet is their second home, we need to teach them how to lock the doors," said the teacher. By turning cybersecurity into a shared responsibility, the DoE's initiative is transforming schools from vulnerable targets into safe zones. "It's about empowering students with knowledge and vigilance. Cyber safety is no longer optional, it's essential." added the official.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
E-zero FIRs set to speed up cyberscam probes: Home minister Amit Shah
NEW DELHI: Citizens who fall victim to cyber fraud will soon save valuable time spent in figuring out how and where to file an FIR, enabling law enforcement to quickly track down the fraudsters and recover the siphoned money. Home minister Amit Shah Monday said the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has introduced the new e-Zero FIR initiative, which will automatically convert all complaints of cyber financial crimes filed through the national cybercrime reporting portal ( NCRP ) or national cybercrime helpline '1930', to FIRs. Shah, in a post on X, said the new system, launched as a pilot project for Delhi, will "drive investigations, swiftly cracking down on cybercriminals" and "will soon be extended to the entire nation". While initially, the automatic FIR will be filed in cases with cyber frauds involving a threshold limit of Rs 10 lakh, it will eventually be expanded to cover all such FIRs. Shah had given instructions for implementation of e-zero FIR initiative in a review meet pertaining to I4C, keeping in view difficulties faced by victims of cyber crimes in recovery of the money lost.
