Mangaluru: Despite awareness campaigns and precautionary guidelines being issued by the police department to curb the rising incidents of cybercrime, cases of online fraud and digital scams continue to surge. Surprisingly, it is the educated and technologically aware population that is falling victim more frequently than the uneducated, raising serious concern among the public.
According to senior police officials, several cases reported on a daily basis reveal that individuals who lose lakhs and, in some instances, crores of rupees to cyber fraud are mostly well-educated citizens. Cybercriminals are adopting innovative techniques and leveraging modern technology to gain access to bank accounts and siphon off money.
Serious concerns over misuse of Aadhaar and biometric data
Cyber offenders are finding new ways to breach Aadhaar details, biometric records, and mobile numbers linked to bank accounts, resulting in a noticeable increase in major financial losses. The mandatory use of biometric authentication for government services, banking operations, mobile SIM purchases, and other public facilities raises the risk of fingerprint data being leaked rather than secured.
Experts warn that if biometric data linked with Aadhaar is hacked, the consequences go beyond financial loss, as the personal identity of an individual can also be compromised. “A fingerprint is a person’s identity; it has opened a new door for fraud and is turning personal information into a growing risk,” cyber experts caution.
Safety begins with caution, says Police Commissioner
Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy advised citizens to ignore calls made under the pretext of Aadhaar or biometric verification. He emphasised avoiding response to unclear calls, suspicious links, and unverified messages. He added that while the police department consistently creates awareness, the public must also act responsibly and remain vigilant at all times.
Key steps to prevent cyber fraud
Cyber experts have advised citizens to protect their data through the following measures:
Lock biometric information through the UIDAI website or the M-Aadhaar app, and unlock only when necessary.
Regularly monitor bank transactions.
Avoid clicking unknown links or responding to suspicious numbers.
Exercise caution when providing fingerprints, especially at photocopy and printing shops.
Do not share OTP or Aadhaar details with others.
In case of fraud, immediately contact the cyber helpline at 1930.
Both cyber experts and police agree that while technology offers convenience, it also brings risks. The only reliable protection against these threats is greater awareness and adopting a cautious, responsible approach.