How to fight cybercrime? Delhi special CP Devesh Chandra Srivastava will tell you

NEW DELHI: Online predators are claiming new victims every day, reinventing their tactics to bypass every defence. Whether it is the lure of easy investment gains, the psychological warfare of 'digital arrest', blackmail or fake utility alerts, the reach of cybercrime seems unending.

This year alone, Delhi has seen a staggering number of complaints, with scammers swindling residents of more than Rs 100 crore, much of it stolen from senior citizens who never saw the trap coming.




Cybercriminals capitalise on the element of surprise, exploiting the fleeting moment of panic and disorientation that occurs when someone is blindsided by a threat. A common example is digital arrest, where fraudsters abruptly inform targets that their personal details are linked to serious investigations, like money laundering or terrorism. These tactics are effective because the immediate shock often paralyses a person's ability to think rationally, leading them to make poor decisions under pressure.

Many people fall victim to simpler traps, such as handing over OTPs after being told their SIM card will be deactivated, an electricity or water bill is late, or a package is awaiting delivery. In these moments, they fail to stop and consider whether they actually have an unpaid balance, pending dues, or if they even ordered anything at all.

Despite dedicated efforts from cyber investigators and ongoing public awareness campaigns from govts and financial institutions to curb this growing trend, digital fraud remains a persistent threat that drains the savings of hundreds of individuals daily.

Data shows a sharp rise in both the number of cases and the amount of money lost by Delhiites to cybercrime in recent years. In 2023, the city recorded 1,347 cases, with losses totalling Rs 183.6 crore. The following year saw a significant spike, with 1,591 cases reported and losses surging to Rs 817.7 crore. In 2025, till June, 184 cases were registered, with reported losses amounting to Rs 70.7 crore.

Investigators say awareness is the key - knowing how scammers operate, their usual modus operandi and how they manage to extract an OTP. To protect yourself, it is vital to remain composed rather than react out of fear. If you receive an unexpected call claiming your power supply will be cut off or a mystery package has arrived in your name, take a moment to reflect, then hang up and block the caller. Most importantly, never disclose an OTP to anyone.

In the meantime, equip yourself with knowledge - how cyber cons operate, what are their most common predatory tactics, and how you can protect your privacy and data. These and many more insights into cybercrime that can help fortify your defences will be shared by Delhi Police special commissioner (crime) Devesh Chandra Srivastava, who is the distinguished guest at TOI's first 'Don'tGetScammed' Townhall in the city at 11.30am on Saturday (Dec 27) at Unesco Apartments, IP Extension, in east Delhi's Patparganj.

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