Cyber Awareness Workshop in Lucknow: A Step Towards Combating Cybercrime

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India – October 18, 2024 – In a significant move to address the escalating threat of cybercrime, over 200 police officers, academics, and students convened in Lucknow for a comprehensive cyber awareness and master training workshop. Organized by the Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF), an IIT Kanpur-incubated NGO, and powered by Paytm, the event took place at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan. It aimed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to combat the growing menace of cybercrime in Uttar Pradesh.

Rising Cybercrime in Uttar Pradesh and Nationwide

The workshop commenced with a sobering overview of the current cybercrime landscape presented by senior officers from the Uttar Pradesh Police. The statistics revealed during the event were alarming, underscoring the urgency of the situation:

• Total Complaints Nationwide: 38,85,395
• UP Cybercrime Complaints: 6,09,511 (15.7% of the national total)
• Financial Fraud Cases Nationwide: 79% of all complaints
• Financial Fraud Cases in UP: 84.53% of complaints
• Nationwide Fraud Amount: Rs 19,860 crores, with UP accounting for Rs 3,153 crores
• Fraudulent Mobile Connections Blocked by UP Police: 116,652 (2nd rank)
• Verified Mule Bank Accounts in UP: 21,445

These figures paint a stark picture of the cybercrime epidemic, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where financial fraud constitutes a significant portion of the complaints.

Keynote Address by Dr. G.K. Goswamy, IPS

The highlight of the workshop was the keynote address delivered by Dr. G.K. Goswamy, IPS, Director of the Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Sciences (UPSIFS). Dr. Goswamy captivated the audience with his insights into emerging cyber threats, including cyber slavery, digital arrests, and AI-enabled crimes. He presented real-world case studies that illustrated how criminals exploit technological advancements to stay ahead of law enforcement.

One of the most eye-opening aspects of his discussion was cyber slavery, where Indian citizens are lured into cybercrime operations abroad. Dr. Goswamy also elaborated on the complexities surrounding AI-enabled crimes, demonstrating how artificial intelligence is being weaponized by criminals to execute sophisticated fraud schemes.

In-Depth Analysis by Rajesh Kumar Yadav, IPS

Following Dr. Goswamy’s address, Rajesh Kumar Yadav, IPS, SP Cyber Crime UP, provided a deep dive into the mechanisms behind cyber slavery and the challenges posed by international scam rings. His session highlighted the sophisticated methods employed by these organizations to coerce victims and evade law enforcement.

Rajesh Kumar emphasized the borderless nature of cybercrime, discussing the challenges related to mule accounts, whitelisted loan apps, and the increasing use of cryptocurrencies for illicit activities. He called for enhanced collaboration between law enforcement, banks, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to prevent the misuse of banking systems, advocating for a 24/7 presence of bank nodal officers to combat fraud effectively.

Expert Contributions and Live Demonstrations

The workshop featured contributions from several esteemed experts, including:

• Prof. Triveni Singh, Former IPS Officer and Chief Mentor, FCRF
• Vivek Ranjan Rai, ACP, Noida
• Santosh Khadsare, Chief Technology Officer, SysTools
• Arun Shankar Chandrasekaran, VP of Operations & Fraud Risk, Payments & Lending, Paytm
• Parijat Tiwari, Sr. VP – Merchant Ops & Risk, Paytm
• Mehnaz Perveen, VP of Trust & Safety, Paytm
• Dr. Manini Srivastava, Assistant Professor, University of Lucknow

These experts covered critical topics such as infrastructure security, rising financial fraud, online crimes against women and children, and the latest trends and tools in cybercrime investigation. Live demonstrations showcased cutting-edge investigation techniques, providing attendees with practical knowledge essential for tackling cyber threats.

Spreading Cyber Awareness and Capacity Building

The primary goal of the workshop was to empower police officers and attendees to disseminate cybercrime awareness within their communities. The training sessions were designed to create a ripple effect, encouraging participants to educate their neighborhoods and strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s cyber defenses.

Support and Partnerships

The event was bolstered by the support of numerous prominent organizations, including Resecurity, IIMT Group of Colleges, SysTools, the ISEA program under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD), Uttar Pradesh Police, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), and Innovation Hub UP (AKTU). This collaborative effort underscores the collective commitment to combating cybercrime and enhancing public safety.

Conclusion

The cyber awareness and master training workshop in Lucknow marked a pivotal step in addressing the rising tide of cybercrime in Uttar Pradesh. By equipping law enforcement, academics, and students with the necessary tools and knowledge, the event aimed to foster a proactive approach to cyber safety. As cyber threats continue to evolve, initiatives like this are crucial in building resilient communities capable of combating the challenges posed by the digital age.