J&K faces new wave of cyber scams as digital crime grows

Srinagar, June 27: Cybercrime is rapidly becoming one of the most pressing challenges in Jammu and Kashmir, with the majority of reported cases involving financial fraud and digital exploitation. Addressing a press conference on Friday, SSP Mohammad Yaseen Kichloo, head of the Crime Investigation Centre for Excellence (CICE), painted a sobering picture of the growing digital threats faced by citizens.
“Of all cybercrime cases we receive in Jammu and Kashmir, nearly 95% involve financial fraud, while around 12% pertain to child exploitation, sextortion, and other forms of abuse,” Kichloo stated. He emphasized the urgent need for public awareness to combat the increasingly sophisticated tactics used by cybercriminals.
With phishing scams, social engineering, and malware attacks on the rise, Kichloo urged people to remain vigilant and avoid sharing sensitive information such as OTPs, PINs, or bank account details over calls or messages. “Most people don’t realise they’re being manipulated until it’s too late,” he warned. “Even highly educated individuals fall prey to these schemes.”
A particularly alarming trend flagged by the SSP is the rise of “digital arrest” scams. In these cases, fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officers or central agencies and threaten victims with fabricated legal charges. “Recently, some teachers in Kashmir were targeted through such WhatsApp calls. Thankfully, they contacted us in time,” he said.
To counter this growing menace, Kichloo highlighted the importance of quick reporting. “If a financial scam is reported within the golden hour, we have systems in place to freeze and reverse the transaction. Last year alone, we recovered and returned nearly ₹7 crore,” he noted.
Another emerging threat is steganography, a technique where hackers conceal malicious code within seemingly harmless images or PDFs. “Just one click on a forwarded image claiming to show a ‘missing person’ can infect your phone,” Kichloo warned.
He also shed light on two disturbing global scams that have reached Kashmir: Pig Butchering and Cyber Slavery. “Young people are being lured by fake job offers abroad, only to find themselves trapped in foreign countries and forced to operate scams. Parents must thoroughly verify any recruitment agency before trusting them,” he cautioned.
Further, he warned the public against using public charging ports, sharing personal information in restaurants, and accepting friend requests from unknown accounts—all of which can be exploited for data theft. “Even uploading a high-resolution profile picture can enable fraudsters to create fake accounts for financial deception,” he added.
Addressing the rise in sextortion, Kichloo urged victims to remain calm and act swiftly. “Offenders often use video calls to collect compromising footage and then blackmail victims. Don’t panic—call 1930 or visit your nearest cyber police station immediately,” he advised.
Reassuring the public, he concluded, “The cyber police is here for you 24/7. Under the direction of the DGP, our mission is to ensure a secure digital environment for every citizen. Stay alert, stay safe—your security is our priority.”