Every day starts with one or the other online or online based crime. In Olden day frauds, at least the perpetrator face is known and can be traced with some identity. But online fraudsters are behind the screen of darkness not even seen or present digital with any identity. These kinds of crimes are very difficult to trace and time consuming to find the real culprit with many chains of fake digital traces.
The sad part in this story is the lack of awareness of the people who fell prey for these kinds of attempts. Every socially responsible body including government are sending lot of awareness information through IVR voices, Newspaper ads, Big Hoardings, public awareness videos. Despite of all these warnings and awareness, People fell for these online attempts and fraudsters can easily cheat, abuse and abduct the victims.
The major section of victims is senior citizens, minors and less educated people. Few of the times even the most educated and professional people also not spared by this issue. New model of frauds is popping up every time a modus operandi was curbed and fraudsters are getting creative over the time, also become untraceable. People should keep them updated on every online scam happening around to keep them safe and stay away from these criminals.
One of the alarming trends and highly vulnerable group is minors, teens who are spending more time online specially in social media and gaming platforms like Instagram, Facebook, PubG which become the portal for these criminals to reach them very easily. Since these kids are very naive and thinking as self-centric grownups lured easily and exploited at the extent where the damage can’t be reversed easily.
Of course, this problem can be easily avoided by simple preventive rules, because always prevention is better than cure. Let’s take few measures in our house and be light house for the vulnerable in our home and in our social circle. Few suggestions from my view,
- Avoid unnecessary apps in PC and Mobile phones.
- Always keep up to date – Web protection apps.
- Reduce time on social media platforms and use only for knowledge purpose.
- Practice more reading books and newspaper. Suggest Kids and minors in your home to read more than being online.
- Avoid entertaining strangers in online.
- Restrict online gaming platform where many strangers can easily connect.
- Talk about online scams in dinner table to create awareness
Generally, Curb your online appetite and digital presence.
This will ensure you and your family safety to a large extent both emotionally and financially.