The Indian government is collaborating with Meta to tackle the increasing problem of online scams through a new initiative called “Scam se Bacho.” This digital campaign is aimed at raising awareness across the country and is being launched in partnership with key government bodies, including the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the goal of the campaign is to curb the growing threats of scams and cyber fraud, aligning with the government’s mission to enhance online security and reduce the number of cybercrime incidents.
Growing Digital India & The Growth Of Scams
During a recent event, the Information and Broadcasting Secretary noted that India, with more than 900 million internet users, has experienced remarkable digital growth through the Digital India initiative, solidifying its position as a global leader in UPI transactions.
This rapid growth has also turned India into an attractive and common target for scammers, with 1.1 million cyber fraud cases reported in 2023 alone, and even more expected in the coming year. The Information and Broadcasting Secretary added, “By leveraging Meta’s global expertise, the campaign will empower every Indian to protect themselves from cyber threats, ensuring that our digital progress is matched by robust digital security.”
The increasing popularity of UPI payments and QR code transactions has led to a surge in scams, mainly due to a lack of understanding among users about how these systems operate. Over time, banks and other organisations have started issuing warnings through pop-up messages during transactions, but more comprehensive measures are necessary to effectively combat these scams in the future.