Digital loot: How to protect your hard-earned money in a rising era of cyber fraud

Cyber fraud has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing threats, affecting citizens across age groups and regions. For many, the experience is sudden, silent, and financially devastating.Consider the case of Abdul Hassan (name changed), a 62-year-old retired schoolteacher from Bokaro Steel City. A message claiming a courier delay prompted him to call a “customer care” number. Minutes later-after clicking a link, entering bank details, and sharing an OTP — INR85,000 of his pension savings disappeared. His story mirrors thousands of similar incidents across India’s expanding digital landscape.