WhatsApp tops the list for cyber scams; MHA report reveals alarming rise

According to the Union Home Ministry’s latest findings, WhatsApp leads as the most exploited platform for online scams, closely followed by Telegram and Instagram. During the first quarter of 2024 alone, 43,797 complaints were lodged against cyber frauds on WhatsApp, 22,680 on Telegram, and 19,800 on Instagram.

The annual report for 2023-24 highlights that fraudsters increasingly misuse Google services to perpetrate these crimes. Platforms like Google Ads enable targeted scams, often originating from abroad. One prominent scam, the “Pig Butchering Scam” or “Investment Scam,” involves large-scale money laundering and cyber slavery, preying on vulnerable groups such as unemployed youth, students, and housewives. Victims frequently lose substantial amounts, often borrowed funds.

To counter these threats, the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has collaborated with Google and Facebook. Efforts include identifying and flagging illegal digital lending apps, combating cyber abuse of Google’s Firebase domains, and tracking Android banking malware. Sponsored Facebook ads, commonly exploited by cybercriminals, are monitored, and actionable insights are shared with Facebook for takedowns.

Additionally, I4C is focusing on enhancing the skills of law enforcement, forensic experts, prosecutors, and judges. Nationwide training programs aim to strengthen expertise in cyber security, crime investigation, and digital forensics.

This growing menace underlines the urgent need for robust digital security measures and public awareness.

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