Thiruvananthapuram Sees Alarming Rise in Cyberfraud Cases, Senior Citizens Most Vulnerable
According to crime records bureau sources, a staggering 110 cyberfraud cases have been reported within the Thiruvananthapuram city police limits since January this year. Shockingly, senior citizens account for nearly 80% of the victims, highlighting a critical vulnerability among the elderly population.
Rural Areas Also Affected with Additional Cases
An additional 45 cases have been registered in rural areas during the same period, bringing the total to 155 cases across the region. This widespread issue underscores the pervasive nature of cybercrime in Kerala's capital and its outskirts.
Common Scams and a Victim's Harrowing Experience
Most cases involve sophisticated financial frauds such as fake bank calls, OTP theft, and fraudulent investment schemes that promise unrealistically high returns. One poignant example is T Mathew, a retired treasury department employee from Thiruvananthapuram, who lost approximately Rs 43 lakh last year after falling victim to a scam.
Mathew recounted his ordeal to TOI: "The fraud began with a video advertisement on Facebook that appeared to feature Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman endorsing a trading company. Soon after, I was contacted by members of the so-called firm. They spoke very professionally and convinced me to invest." Over six months, he invested more than Rs 44 lakh. "When I tried to withdraw, they kept asking for more money, citing various charges. That's when I realised I was trapped," he added, describing the emotional and financial toll.
Police Note Shift in Target Demographics
Police officials have observed that while senior citizens remain the primary targets due to limited digital awareness, youngsters are increasingly falling prey to such scams as well. A cyber police officer noted, "Three years ago, we used to get around 20 cases annually. The numbers have now increased significantly," indicating a troubling upward trend in cybercrime incidents.
Organized Networks and Sophisticated Tactics
Investigators reveal that most fraudsters are youngsters operating in organized networks. They employ advanced tactics such as impersonation, fake websites, and even deepfake videos to gain victims' trust. Rahul V I, a criminal lawyer at the high court, explained the structured nature of these gangs.
"They function with clearly defined roles," he said. "They create fake websites using IT professionals or students, often without revealing the criminal intent. They then recruit financially vulnerable individuals to open bank accounts to route the money."
Targeted Strategies and Evasion Techniques
Rahul V I further detailed how victims are carefully targeted. "In investment scams, fraudsters often pay returns for a few months to build credibility. Once large sums are invested, they vanish," he stated. Citing a recent case, he mentioned an accused from Thrissur who was recruited by a gang, taken to West Bengal, and used to open a bank account that received Rs 37 lakh siphoned from a victim. While police arrested the account holder, the main operators remain untraceable, showcasing the challenges in law enforcement.
Financial Impact and Ongoing Challenges
Police reports indicate that losses in such cases range from lakhs to crores, causing significant financial distress to victims. A source at the cyber police department commented, "Despite increased awareness, financial fraud persists as people are lured by promises of high returns. Tracing interstate gangs continues to be a major challenge," emphasizing the difficulty in combating these cross-border criminal activities.
The surge in cyberfraud cases in Thiruvananthapuram calls for urgent measures to enhance digital literacy, especially among senior citizens, and strengthen investigative frameworks to tackle organized cybercrime networks effectively.
