95% cyber frauds in J&K are financial scams: J&K Police reveals alarming new tactics

By: Rehan Qayoom Mir

Srinagar: Amid a concerning rise in digital frauds across Jammu and Kashmir, Senior Superintendent of Police (Cyber) Mohammad Yaseen Kichloo, who also heads the Cybercrime Investigation Centre for Excellence (CICE), warned on Friday that 95 percent of reported cybercrime cases involve financial scams, while 12 percent are related to child exploitation and sextortion. He cautioned that cybercriminals are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to target the public.

Addressing the media, SSP Kichloo said cybercriminals are continuously evolving their tactics—from WhatsApp hacks and Facebook cloning to malware-infected images, fake job offers, and extensive online scams that are drawing Kashmiri youth into international cybercrime networks.

He called for timely reporting, saying the department managed to recover Rs 7 crore last year and return it to victims. “If people report cyber fraud within the ‘golden hour,’ we can often freeze transactions and trace the money before it’s lost,” he said.

Kichloo revealed that fraudsters are increasingly using malware-infected photos of elderly individuals or missing persons as bait. “This technique, called steganography, involves hiding malicious code within seemingly harmless images or PDFs. Once downloaded, it can hijack your gallery, apps, or even bank accounts,” he warned.

The SSP urged citizens to avoid clicking on unfamiliar images or documents, even if received from known contacts, and recommended the use of two-factor authentication, especially on WhatsApp.

Addressing the surge in sextortion cases, the officer said that victims, often men, are lured into video calls by fraudsters impersonating nude women or men. “These calls are secretly recorded and later used to blackmail victims with threats to leak footage to their family or on social media,” he said.

He, however, reassured the public, saying, “This is not the victim’s fault. But due to fear, many end up paying the blackmailers. We urge you not to panic and to immediately contact the helpline 1930 or visit the nearest cyber police station.”

Kichloo also highlighted the disturbing trend of cyber slavery, where young Kashmiris are deceived by fake job consultancies and trafficked to countries like Myanmar and Cambodia, where they are forced to operate cyber fraud. “Parents and youth must verify every job offer or consultancy. These are real issues; we have received genuine complaints from Kashmir,” he cautioned.

The SSP flagged an increase in ‘digital arrest’ scams, where fraudsters impersonate government officials and threaten legal action. “They contact people via WhatsApp, pretending to be from agencies like the CBI, police, or courts. Recently, some teachers in Kashmir narrowly escaped falling prey to these scams,” he said.

He advised the public not to share personal details, OTPs, or banking information, even if the caller claims to be a government official. “These are social engineering tactics. Once you share your OTP, your device and data are vulnerable,” he said.

The officer warned against using public charging stations, as cybercriminals can compromise devices through infected USB ports. “Avoid public USBs; carry your own power bank,” he recommended.

He cautioned about sharing phone numbers or email addresses at restaurants or online forms, as fraudsters can later exploit this information.

Acknowledging efforts by the Jammu and Kashmir government, SSP Kichloo said cyber police stations have been established in every district, supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs. “This is a commendable step, but public awareness remains the key,” he said.

He appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives, such as “Mann Ki Baat”, for raising awareness about digital safety and supporting measures like “digital arrest” of fraudsters.

The SSP reassured the public: “You are not alone. The cyber police are available 24/7. If you face any cyber issue, don’t hesitate to call 1930 or visit your nearest cyber police station. Cybercrime can happen to anyone, and there is no shame in reporting it.”—(KNO)