Wham, bam, all the spams & scams: Why India needs a multi-pronged approach to kill cyber fraud

What was once the domain of isolated scam calls has now evolved into a sophisticated, highly organised ecosystem of cybercrime. Every day, millions are targeted through phone calls, messages and online platforms. Fraudsters have honed the art of psychological manipulation, creating scenarios that evoke fear, urgency or excitement - tactics specifically designed to pressure individuals into making impulsive and often financially damaging decisions.

Take some familiar examples. A warning that your bank account is compromised, a threat of electricity disconnection unless immediate action is taken. Or an urgent alert about an international courier needing verification. These are not just clever ploys - they are also deliberate, calculated attempts to exploit people's emotions and vulnerabilities.

And the tools of deception are evolving rapidly. While phone calls and SMS remain common, platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and Facebook have become a fertile ground for fraudsters. Spoofed links - often indistinguishable from legitimate websites - are used to steal credentials and access sensitive financial information.

The technique of domain spoofing, where a single character is altered to mimic a real URL (think 'g00gle. com'), is now so sophisticated that even the most discerning user can be misled.

What makes this even more dangerous is the use of AI and automation. Fraudsters are no longer relying on poorly written messages or obvious scams. Fraudulent links they now circulate are polished, professional and technically sound, complete with HTTPS certificates and realistic login pages. In short, these threats are no longer easy to spot. The impact is staggering.

Each one of us is bombarded with scam messages almost daily. And while some can filter them out, many - particularly the elderly, digitally uninitiated and those caught off-guard - fall prey. While the monetary impact is substantial, the emotional suffering is far more devastating. India is projected to lose ₹20k cr to cybercrime in 2025, a nearly 75% increase from the previous year. So, where do we go from here?

The first step is to recognise that this is not 'someone else's problem'. This is a shared challenge, one that requires a concerted, coordinated response from every player in the digital ecosystem: telecom providers, banks, government institutions, OTT and social media apps. The scale and complexity of the threat demand nothing less.

To counter it effectively, we must adopt a multi-pronged approach, harnessing the power of technology, fostering cross-industry collaboration, and driving public education and awareness. Only by dismantling the infrastructure that enables these frauds - methodically and collectively - can we reclaim our digital spaces.

Four simple actions should be rolled out:

• Create a fraud bureau as a digital ecosystem where every player shares details of fraudsters so that there can be collective action.
• Find digital solutions to combat this menace on the platforms each of us operate, and share it widely with every player in the ecosystem.
• Educate every consumer on what not to do through the platforms we run.
• Bring all platforms into the ambit of simple regulation. Simple self-governance is not enough to kill this menace. Today, some players in the digital ecosystem, such as telcos, are already subjected to regulation. However, OTT apps are not.

Given the increasing spread of fraud to all parts of the digital ecosystem, it is now critical that regulators and policymakers bring all digital platforms into the ambit of regulation so as to protect customers and kill fraud.

If this is done well, India's digital revolution can remain not just a symbol of progress but also a pillar of trust - one that allows every citizen to live, work, transact and communicate without fear.

The writer is vice chairman-MD, Bharti Airtel


(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com)