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Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Indian Express
Series of e-mails threaten to blow up 5 district courts, Lawrence School; turn out to be hoax
A series of separate e-mails, all from the same source, threatened to blow up at least five district courts — Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Nahan (Sirmour) and Chamba — and The Lawrence School at Sanawar, prompting authorities to evacuate the buildings, beef up the security and carry out a search of the respective premises. The proceedings at the court complexes were suspended as bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs were deployed and police teams, under the supervision of senior officers, carried out extensive search operation at the buildings, said a statement issued by the police headquarters in the evening. As a precautionary measure, a search operation was also conducted at the secretariat in Shimla. No explosives or suspicious items were found, a senior police officer said. The proceedings at the court complexes later resumed amid heightened security. The first e-mail was delivered to the mailbox of District and Sessions Judge, Chamba, at 12.04 am followed by one at the e-mail id of the headmaster of The Lawrence School at 5.01 am. The other e-mails landed in the mailboxes of the District and Sessions Judges of Shimla, at 5.15 am, Kinnaur at 5.35 am, Kullu 5.36 am and Nahan in Sirmour at 5.39 am. 'All the e-mails were sent by one 'Jayanti Karrampa'—a likely fictitious identity — claiming that RDX-based improvised explosive devices (IEDs) had been planted at the court complexes and at The Lawrence School in Solan district and will go off in within five hours,' police said. An investigation has been launched to trace the origin of the e-mails, which were reportedly sent in the name of former students of Anna University. In Shimla, Superintendent of Police, Sanjeev Gandhi, said following the information about the threat e-mails, preventative action was taken and police teams headed by DSP-level officers evacuated the premises and carried out an in inspection. In Sirmaur, Additional Superintendent of Police Yogesh Rolta said the officials came to know about the threat e-mail at 10 am when court staff staff switched on the computer to carry out the judicial work. DIG (Cyber Crime), Mohit Chawla, said the police teams in the respective districts followed the standard operating procedure (SoP). 'The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), was informed. Preliminary investigation suggests that all emails were sent from a single e-mail ID but at different times. The e-mail IDs targeted are publicly available. It is yet to be ascertained whether the e-mails were sent from within the country or outside,' said Chawla. The police statement said that similar threats have been reported in other states over the past year. 'Himachal Pradesh received 8 to 10 such threats in recent months. Cases have been registered in Kullu and Shimla districts, and investigations are ongoing. In a related case, Kerala Police have arrested an accused individual, and efforts are underway by Himachal Pradesh Police to obtain custody for interrogation,' it added. Earlier, bomb threats were received at the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, the state secretariat, and at Deputy Commissioner's offices in some districts. In the second week of June, the state police traced the origin of one of the seven threat emails received between April 16 and June 9. That e-mail had claimed that sensitive government infrastructure — including the offices of Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Deputy Commissioners of Mandi, Kullu, Hamirpur, and the Himachal Pradesh High Court—would be destroyed using explosives. 'Although the pattern and method of the seven e-mails were similar, one was sent using a different handle. All the e-mails were routed through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Six were traced to a European country, while one originated from within India. That particular email, received on May 2, threatened to blow up multiple government offices, including the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Kullu. The investigating agency, with assistance from the State CID Cyber Cell, has also identified the Indian state from which the email was sent,' an officer, privy to the instigations, said.
Hindustan Times
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Centre ends robocall campaign led by Amitabh Bachchan on cybercrimes
By Sejal Sharma , New Delhi Jun 27, 2025 06:48 AM IST For months, millions of Indians heard the unmistakable baritone of Amitabh Bachchan every time they made a phone call, warning them about cybercrime and urging them to dial 1930 in case they fall prey to digital arrest scam. Initially, a generic version of the robocall was launched for 90 days. This was later followed by a 60-day extension with Amitabh Bachchan's voice (AFP) But, as of June 25, the campaign has come to an end, officials aware of the matter said. The campaign was launched by the Union home ministry's Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The robocall campaign was launched soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the matter of digital arrest scams during his Mann Ki Baat address in October 2024. An official who worked closely on the initiative told Hindustan Times that the government has ended the campaign as of June 25. While the initiative drew attention for its high-profile voiceover, it wasn't without criticism. 'We did receive some negative feedback, particularly about delays in emergency calls getting through,' the official cited above said, hinting that this was one of the reasons for not renewing the campaign further. The campaign was created to increase public awareness about digital scams as they continue to become more complex. A recent study, titled Comprehensive Modular Survey: Telecom 2025, by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MoSPI) found that while internet use in India is reaching saturation levels, only 18% of users know how to report a cybercrime. Initially, a generic version of the robocall was launched for 90 days. This was later followed by a 60-day extension with Bachchan's voice. During the campaign, the robocall was rolled out in regional languages and aired 7-8 times a day by telecom providers.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Lost over 10L? Call 1930 for automatic e-fraud FIR
Kolkata: The Kolkata Police has started training its personnel for the implementation of a new e-Zero FIR system, marking a significant shift in how cybercrime complaints — received on 1930 helpline or cybercrime portal — involving amounts exceeding Rs 10 lakh, will be processed, making it more time-bound and pinpointed. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The new system, utilising Application Programming Interface software, eliminates the traditional manual screening process. Previously, complaints underwent police personnel screening before being assigned to investigating officers, who then contacted complainants to conduct initial probes before lodging FIRs. Under the new regime, complaints will be automatically screened and categorised, with those involving amounts above Rs 10 lakh being converted into zero FIRs. These will then be automatically forwarded to the relevant cybercrime police stations. Complainants will have three days from the FIR registration date to sign the document. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the ministry of home affairs, recently introduced this automated system that converts financial cybercrime complaints registered on the 1930 helpline or portal directly into FIRs. Rolled out in Delhi, the project is expected to cover Kolkata, Mumbai, and other metros soon in the second phase. "Since this will be a time-bound exercise and will need coordination as far as evidence collection is concerned, we are preparing a dedicated team to ensure proper rollout when the regime is implemented in the state," said a Kolkata Police officer.
India Today
23-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Govt warns e-commerce fraud is rising, full steps to protect yourself from online shopping scams today
Online shopping has become more convenient than ever. However, as the number of online shoppers are increasing, they are also becoming targets of cyber scammers. These scammers are sending phishing SMS messages, creating fake websites, and even calling users while pretending to be customer service representatives from well-known e-commerce sites in an attempt to trick them into sharing sensitive light of this growing concern, the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued a public warning. The warning urges online shoppers to stay vigilant from fake shopping websites, phishing delivery messages, and scam links disguised as legitimate order updates. 'Online shopping scam alert! Fake sites and phishing delivery texts are on the rise. Don't click blindly. Shop only on trusted platforms,' reads a post from CyberDost – the official handle of the government's cyber safety agency. What is a shopping scam?Scammers are using multiple methods to trick online shoppers in return for financial gains. Some of the common tricks include:advertisement Phishing delivery texts: Scammers may send a text or email claiming that your order is on hold or requires payment confirmation. These messages include a link that appears to lead to a major e-commerce site. However, once clicked, it redirects users to a fake website designed to steal card or UPI shopping sites: These websites mimic the look and feel of genuine e-commerce platforms. They can even be listed on search engines alongside legitimate ones. The fake websites offer tempting discounts or hard-to-find products. But once someone places an order and makes a payment, the site either disappears or fails to deliver the media ads: Scammers are also using platforms like Facebook to promote fake stores or deals through sponsored posts. These ads, if clicked, often direct users to unverified websites that ask for sensitive or financial confirmation scams: Fake SMS messages claim that your order couldn't be completed and ask you to 'verify payment.' Clicking these links can lead to theft of financial credentials or the installation of malware on your to stay safe while shopping onlineTo protect yourself from these scams, keep the following tips in mind:Do not click blindly: Avoid clicking on links from unknown numbers or emails. If a message says your order is delayed or needs confirmation, always check directly on the app or website you used to place the only official platforms: Always shop through well-known e-commerce platforms or apps downloaded from official app stores. Avoid deals shared via random links or forwarded the website URL: Before completing any payment details, ensure the website is legitimate. You can check the URL and see if it begins with " and isn't a slightly altered version of a popular site (e.g., ' instead of ' share OTPs or CVVs: No legitimate seller or delivery agent will ever ask for your one-time password or card security code. If someone does, it's definitely a red the seller and reviews: Especially when using lesser-known platforms, check seller ratings and customer reviews before making a scams immediately: If you suspect you have been targeted, call the Cybercrime Helpline at 1930 or report the incident at
News18
21-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
As PM Modi Raises Deep Fake Menace, Govt Steps Up Fight Against AI Misinformation
Last Updated: The government has launched a multi-pronged strategy combining legal enforcement, regulatory measures, and technological innovation to ensure a secure digital environment Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent three-nation trip, said the world cannot ignore the threats of technology, including the misuse of deep fake, even as he lauded the advancement of technology. Back home, a full-scale effort is underway to mitigate the challenge of AI misinformation. The Union government has launched a multi-pronged strategy combining legal enforcement, regulatory measures, and technological innovation to ensure a secure and trustworthy digital environment. At the heart of this initiative lies the Information Technology Act, 2000, which, along with the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, forms the legal foundation to tackle cybercrimes, including deep fakes. The IT Act penalises a range of offences such as identity theft, impersonation, privacy violations, transmission of obscene material, and cyberterrorism—irrespective of whether the content is human-generated or AI-created. Under the 2021 IT Rules, digital platforms and intermediaries, including social media companies, are legally required to act swiftly against unlawful content. This includes misinformation, impersonation, obscene visuals, gender-based harassment, and content that can mislead or deceive users. These platforms are also obligated to incorporate explicit content restrictions in their terms of service and ensure rapid redressal of user grievances. The government has also directed platforms to exercise caution when deploying AI models, LLMs (Large Language Models), and generative AI tools. Platforms must ensure such technologies are not used to spread unlawful, biased, or politically disruptive content. Furthermore, content generated through unverified AI tools must be appropriately labelled to indicate its potential unreliability. To bolster user protection, the Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs) have been established under the IT Rules, 2021. These committees offer users the option to file appeals at if dissatisfied with how digital platforms handle complaints, including those related to deep fakes. Meanwhile, with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, set to come into force from July 1, 2024, legal backing for tackling deep fakes will be further reinforced. Sections like 111 (organised cybercrime), 318 (cheating), 319 (impersonation), and 336 (forgery) are directly applicable to deep fake-related offences. At the enforcement level, the Ministry of Home Affairs' Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) provides a comprehensive support system for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) across states. Citizens can report cybercrimes through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal ( or by calling the dedicated helpline 1930. In terms of innovation, the government has funded two key projects: Fake Speech Detection Using Deep Learning Design and Development of Software for Detecting Deepfake Videos and Images. The latter has led to the creation of 'FakeCheck", a prototype tool capable of detecting deep fakes without needing internet connectivity. The tool is currently being tested by select LEAs. Further, under the IndiaAI Mission, the government has invited expressions of interest from academia, start-ups, and industry players to develop responsible AI frameworks, watermarking tools, and deep fake detection technologies. So far, 38 proposals on watermarking and 100 on deep fake detection tools have been submitted. 'As the digital landscape evolves rapidly, the government maintains that enforcement remains a state subject. Citizens are encouraged to report violations either through or the national helpline 1093, ensuring swift legal action wherever necessary," the Ministry of Information and Technology has been saying. To ensure an inclusive and informed approach, a high-level committee comprising stakeholders from government, academia, and industry has been constituted to address the broader implications and solutions related to deep fakes. First Published: June 21, 2025, 15:14 IST
