Jammu: Commissioner Secretary to the Government, Department of Science and Technology, Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary, has said that the staggering ₹54,000 crore lost to cyber fraud in India amounts to “digital dacoity,” echoing recent observations made by the Supreme Court.
Addressing a conference organized by the IT Department on the occasion of Safer Internet Day, Dr Chowdhary said that cyber fraud has emerged as a grave threat, with criminals exploiting digital platforms and advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to target unsuspecting citizens.
He said that nearly ₹20,000 crore was reportedly lost to online fraud across the country last year alone, affecting families, elderly citizens and students. Citing a recent case in Jammu, he said the Cyber Crime unit prevented a person from losing ₹40 lakh after fraudsters falsely claimed the victim was under “digital arrest” and needed to transfer money immediately.
Dr Chowdhary warned that fraudsters are now using AI tools to clone voices and create convincing fake audio and video messages, making scams more sophisticated and harder to detect. He said such incidents are no longer rare and are being reported with increasing frequency.
Highlighting the expansion of digital governance in Jammu and Kashmir, he said more than a thousand government services are now available online, bringing efficiency and accessibility. However, he stressed that digital expansion must be matched with strong public awareness about online safety.
He urged citizens to never share OTPs, PINs, passwords or Aadhaar details with anyone and cautioned that no legitimate bank or government office seeks such information over phone calls. He also advised people to verify suspicious communications through official channels and avoid schemes promising guaranteed high returns.
Dr Chowdhary appreciated the efforts of the IT Department, NIC teams and Cyber Crime officials for strengthening digital infrastructure and citizen protection, and called for collective responsibility in ensuring a safer online environment. [KNT]
