Patna, Swatant Prabhat Bureau, M P Roshan
Today India is rapidly moving towards ‘Digital India’. UPI, online banking, e-commerce, railway booking and digital wallet have made the lives of common citizens easier. From transferring money at one click at home to shopping and availing government services has now become a common thing. But, there is a scary truth hidden behind this golden picture of technology. Along with the expansion of digital facilities, cases of cyber fraud, online scams and consumer exploitation have also increased significantly in the country. While technology has provided convenience to the general public, it has also given criminals a new and easy way to access people’s pockets and bank accounts.
Life’s hard earned money getting wiped out in minutes
More or less, today the situation has become such that every day hundreds of people are becoming victims of OTP fraud, UPI scam, fake loan apps, WhatsApp hacking, fake customer care and unauthorized banking transactions. Vicious cyber criminals are stealing people’s life savings in the blink of an eye.
Bihar on the radar of cyber criminals; Concern increased due to Supaul connection
Bihar has now become one of the most sensitive states in the country in terms of cyber crime. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) According to NCRB and various recent reports, a shocking increase of about 43 percent has been recorded in cyber crime cases in Bihar in the year 2024. Most of the cases registered are related to financial fraud.
The most worrying thing is that now the rural and border districts of Bihar are also in the grip of this network. In recent years, Supaul district has also been in the news due to cyber fraud and digital scam activities. The investigation of the Economic Offenses Unit (EOU) has revealed several cases which were linked to interstate and international cyber fraud syndicates and their connection was found in Supaul area.
Why are rural areas becoming easy prey?
1 Mobile and internet access to remote villages.
2. Limited digital literacy: People are using technology but are unaware of the security standards.
3 Unemployment: Local youth straying into the trap of criminals or getting involved in this quagmire themselves.
4. Elderly people and students are on target: Elderly people and students who have less understanding of digital technology are easily getting trapped in the trap of job-cheap loans.
Ignorance of legal rights becomes the biggest weakness
The most serious aspect of this growing crisis is that most of the victims are not aware of their legal rights. Due to lack of awareness, people are not able to file complaints on time, due to which it becomes very difficult to crack down on criminals and recover the lost money. Cyber fraud is now becoming not only a financial loss but also a deep mental and social crisis for the victims.
Know your legal rights
The law of the country provides a strong protection shield to citizens in digital transactions. The ‘Information Technology Act’ ‘Consumer Protection Act and the guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India protect the rights of consumers.
Helpline 1930 is a panacea: If you become a victim of any online fraud, immediately call the National Cyber Crime Helpline number 1930. If the complaint is filed on time (in the golden hour), the chances of freezing the fraudulent amount and recovery increases significantly.
Recourse to Consumer Forum: In case of online shopping fraud, defective product, misleading advertisement or deficiency in service, a complaint can be lodged with the Consumer Commission.
Liability of banks: In case of digital payment failure or unauthorized transaction, if the consumer is not at fault, banks and service providers may be liable for damages. Railways and other services: There is a provision for compensation in case of not getting a seat despite having a confirmed ticket in Railways or other online services or for serious negligence in service.
Legal experts say
Legal awareness, giving proper guidance to cyber victims and raising voice for consumer rights has become the biggest need of the society. Unless the society becomes legally aware, it is impossible to control this digital epidemic.
-Bhaskar Singh, Advocate
Patna Court
The challenge is big, we will have to fight together
Today the need is not only to make new and strict laws, but also to make the last person of the society aware. The government, judiciary, police administration, banking institutions and people associated with the legal profession will have to work together to create a safe ecosystem where along with technological development, the safety of citizens is also 100 percent ensured. If the country and society do not become aware of this danger in time, then in the coming days, cyber fraud and consumer exploitation will become a huge social and economic crisis for India.
Growing network of cyber crime in Bihar
Cyber crime situation in Bihar (year 2024-25)
• Total cases registered: 5,624 cases (most involving online financial fraud)
• Total complaints received: 11,764
• Disposed cases: 917
• Amount frozen: Rs 106 crore.
• Refund to victims: Rs 7.36 crore
International cyber network busted]
Supaul becomes the center of international cyber fraud!
• Hotspot: Ganauda and Gauspur villages of Supaul district.
• Major action of EOU: Economic Offenses Unit raided the house of Harshit Kumar in Gauspur on July 20, 2025 and recovered an illegal SIM box. 231 active SIM cards were installed in the SIM box. VoIP calls were converted into local calls through fake SIM cards.
| • Call Data: More than 51 thousand local, national and international calls were made in just 3 days (30 June to 2 July 2025). |
[GlobalSyndicate:Therearestringsattachedtothesecountries[ग्लोबलसिंडिकेट:इनदेशोंसेजुड़ेहैंतार |
According to the investigating agencies, this network of Bihar is directly connected to cyber fraud gangs operating in countries like Vietnam, China and Cambodia. This underlines the international nature of cyber crime in the state and the huge challenge of tackling it.
said the officer
To stop the increasing cyber crime in recent years, cyber cell police stations have been established in all the districts of the state, where prompt action is taken.
Sushil Kumar, IPS Superintendent cum Nodal Officer
Cyber Cell cum Economic Offenses Unit, Patna
Comments are closed.