The reel is often inspired by the real. Cyber fraud operations based in a remote district in Jharkhand, for instance, inspired the OTT series, Jamtara. But the script, it appears, requires tweaking in the future. This is because cybercrime hotspots in India — Jamtara and Mewat are examples — have transcended the national borders. A recent analysis by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, a division of the Union home ministry, showed that about 45% of the cybercrime cases targeting Indians originate from other South Asian countries, mainly Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. This is not to say that the threat is insignificant in India. According to the data, the number of complaints against grey activities like trading scams, phishing and fraudulent romance has increased exponentially — from 26,049 in 2019 to 7.4 lakh till April 2024. The national cybercrime reporting portal received over six lakh complaints this year, with the defrauded money amounting to around Rs 1,800 crore. A study conducted by an IIT Kanpur-incubated non-profit highlighted that about 77% of cybercrimes between 2020 and 2023 were financial frauds. There are other perils as well: identity and data theft driven by cyber fraud can have long-term repercussions like an enduring debt footprint along with legal and security challenges. Significantly, the cybercrime nexus operating in these South Asian countries has been hoodwinking Indians with dubious recruitment opportunities via messaging platforms and the use of Indian SIM cards. The Indian embassy in Cambodia, to cite one instance, has facilitated the extradition of 360 Indians. But 5,000 citizens are suspected to be stuck there and are being forced to carry out cyber fraud against fellow Indians. Last year, India was the 80th most-targeted country in terms of cybercrime. New Delhi must use its diplomatic channels to raise its concerns with these countries.

India has the second-highest population of active internet users. But the majority of them lack adequate awareness about online fraud, making them sitting ducks for scamsters. Privacy violation and sextortion are other emerging threats. The evolving digital landscape necessitates a comprehensive understanding and negation of cyber threats. Raising awareness is the key, especially for new and minor users of the internet. The legal loopholes must be plugged to deter such mischief. But there ought to be a balance between cybercrime prevention and overregulation so as not to stymie access to the internet and safeguard the privacy of its users. Treading this fine line under an authoritarian regime could be challenging.