# Safer Internet India


## Posts

- [GhostPairing Scam: How Scammers Hijack Messaging Accounts Remotely](https://saferinternetindia.com/ghostpairing-scam-how-scammers-hijack-messaging-accounts-remotely/): Introduction&nbsp; The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, recently released an advisory warning of&nbsp; the ‘GhostPairing Scam’, which targets users on messaging apps.&nbsp; This fraud involves scamsters misusing the device-linking feature of messaging apps to take over the accounts of users. They gain access to the victims’ accounts without stealing passwords, one-time passwords (OTPs), or SIM cards. Once this happens, they can access conversations, contacts, and media, and can even send messages from the compromised account. Image credits: Karnataka Bank on Facebook How Does This Scam Work?&nbsp; The GhostPairing [&hellip;]
- [Would you trust this viral video ? How deepfakes fuel digital deception](https://saferinternetindia.com/would-you-trust-this-viral-video-how-deepfakes-fuel-digital-deception/): Not too long ago, a viral video of popular actress Rashmika Mandanna was making the rounds online. Someone had used AI to swap Rashmika’s face onto another woman, creating an eerie deepfake. Deepfakes aren’t just fringe tech experiments anymore. With the rise of generative AI tools in the market, your privacy can be invaded by anyone with a smartphone and basic know-how of AI usage.&nbsp; In another instance, a retired doctor from Hyderabad was duped of over ₹20 lakh in an online investment scam. The scam began in March, 2025, after the victim saw an advertisement online featuring the Union [&hellip;]
- [Cybercrimes Up 217% in the Past Five Years: Insights from the NCRB Report](https://saferinternetindia.com/cybercrimes-up-217-in-the-past-five-years-insights-from-the-ncrb-report/): Introduction More than 86,000 cyber crimes were reported in just one year, according to the latest Crime in India Report released by the National Crime Records Bureau. Between 2018 and 2023, cyber crimes in India increased by a staggering 217%, highlighting the menace of cyber crimes in the post-Covid era. According to the NCRB Report most cases were reported from the state of Karnataka (21,889 cases). This was followed by Telangana (18,236 cases) and Uttar Pradesh (10,794 cases). Among metropolitan cities, most cases were reported from Bengaluru. Since 2018, most cyber crimes have been reported from the Silicon Valley of [&hellip;]
- [Glittering Deals, Hidden Threats: Stay Cyber-Safe This Festive Season](https://saferinternetindia.com/glittering-deals-hidden-threats-stay-cyber-safe-this-festive-season/): The festive season is upon us. This time is associated with lights, moments with our loved ones, and also, the festive frenzy shopping. However, this time also sees a surge in cyber frauds and scams which can dampen the festive spirit, apart from burning a hole in your pockets. It is thus crucial to recognise the common scams and how to stay safe from them. Image credits: CyberDost I4C on X (@cyberdost) Fake Websites Scammers often create websites which look like prominent e-commerce sites. They offer “too good to be true” deals and create urgency with “limited time” offers. However, [&hellip;]
- [When “They’ll Arrest You in Minutes” Becomes a Nightmare](https://saferinternetindia.com/when-theyll-arrest-you-in-minutes-becomes-a-nightmare/): Picture this: you’ve just wrapped up a long day when your phone lights up with a video call. A man in uniform appears, the background looks like a police station, and his tone is urgent. He says that a parcel in your name has been seized for containing illegal items. Within seconds, he flashes an official looking ID card and warns, “Cooperate, or we’ll have to arrest you.” Your stomach drops, it feels real. For thousands of Indians, this isn’t fiction, it&#8217;s happening every day. These are victims of the digital arrest scam, one of the fastest-growing cybercrimes in the [&hellip;]
- [APK File Scams: How Fake Apps Hijack Your Phone and Finances](https://saferinternetindia.com/apk-file-scams-how-fake-apps-hijack-your-phone-and-finances/): One evening, a WhatsApp message lands on your phone. It looks urgent like a traffic challan notice, a bank KYC update, or even a cheerful wedding invitation card. The file attached carries the logo of a trusted institution or the design of a digital invite. You tap once, grant a few permissions, and move on. Hours later, you wake up to debit alerts, your savings drained, and learn that your phone is silently controlled by someone miles away. This is the APK file scam, one of the fastest-growing forms of cybercrime in India. APK (Android Package Kit) files are the [&hellip;]
- [Match or Mismatch: How Scammers Trick You on Dating Apps ](https://saferinternetindia.com/match-or-mismatch-how-scammers-trick-you-on-dating-apps/): One minute you are laughing over snacks and drinks with your dating app match, and the next you are staring at a bill so outrageous it feels like you accidentally ordered the whole menu. Meanwhile, your ‘date’ has disappeared and you are surrounded by bouncers who will not let you leave till you clear the bill. The meeting you imagined would lead to you meeting the love of your life, has turned out to be a nightmare you cannot forget.&nbsp; Many people have become victims of this scam. Scammers connect with their potential victims on dating apps and lure them [&hellip;]
- [Think Before You Click - How Platforms Are Fighting Scams and Spam](https://saferinternetindia.com/think-before-you-click-how-platforms-are-fighting-scams-and-spam/): Introduction&nbsp; Unwanted promotions, deceptive messages, and online scams have become pervasive across the digital ecosystem, pushing platforms to adopt stronger safeguards to protect users. Platforms operate under a patchwork of content, privacy, and consumer protection rules but face rising expectations to proactively detect, moderate, and reduce the spread of spam, scams, and other harmful content. From deploying advanced spam detection systems to enabling easier user reporting and content moderation, platforms are playing a critical role in protecting the digital ecosystem. In this blog, we unpack how Safer Internet India members: Google, Microsoft, and Meta are leading efforts to counter spam, [&hellip;]
- [Are You Shopping Safe? Outsmart E-Commerce Scams with These Smart Habits](https://saferinternetindia.com/are-you-shopping-safe-outsmart-e-commerce-scams-with-these-smart-habits/): Online shoppers are often exposed to fraudulent sellers, counterfeit products and transaction frauds while they navigate India’s booming e-commerce markets. However, e-commerce platforms are actively countering these challenges with their online safety measures. In this blog, we explore how you can keep yourself safe on online shopping platforms. 1. Only visit the real website of the online shopping platform Always ensure that you are visiting the real website of shopping platforms such as Amazon, Meesho, Flipkart etc. Scammers might trick you to provide personal information by luring you into visiting websites that resemble these platforms very closely. Fake websites can [&hellip;]
- [Call Safe, Text Smart - Telecom Safety Initiatives That Users Should Know ](https://saferinternetindia.com/call-safe-text-smart-telecom-safety-initiatives-that-users-should-know/): Introduction&nbsp; Unwanted promotional calls, spam messages, and online scams have become all too common, requiring telecom operators to step up their game to protect consumers. Under the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation (TCCPR), telecom operators are&nbsp; required to implement systems to detect, filter, and block promotional messages and calls from unregistered telemarketers.&nbsp; From filtering out suspicious calls to making it easier to register complaints through the Do Not Disturb (DND) service (covered in our previous blog), telecom companies are actively defending consumers. In this blog, we are unpacking how Safer Internet India members:&nbsp; Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and Truecaller are [&hellip;]
- [Identifying spam calls and messages](https://saferinternetindia.com/identifying-spam-calls-and-messages/): Spam calls and messages have become increasingly common, pretending to be from banks, telecom companies, or government agencies. Interacting with these messages or calls may lead to fraud or identity theft. There are several signs to look out for to spot and avoid spam messages and calls. To help users identify spam messages and calls, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced easy to understand formats to help identify legitimate commercial messages and calls. Identifying the sender &#8211; SMSes Step 1: Look at the sender ID Observe the format of the sender ID or header. In India, legitimate [&hellip;]
- [TRAI Do Not Disturb (DND) App: The Ultimate Solution to Block Spam Calls and SMS in India](https://saferinternetindia.com/trai-do-not-disturb-dnd-app-the-ultimate-solution-to-block-spam-calls-and-sms-in-india/): What is the DND App? The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recently launched a new updated version of its Do Not Disturb (DND 3.0) app. The app is designed to help Indian mobile users track, manage and report spam calls and unwanted promotional SMSs to put an end to pesky messages and relentless calls from insurance agents, banks, and real estate brokers, among others. It can be downloaded free of cost from both the Google Play Store (for Android-based mobile phones) and the Apple App Store (for iOS-based mobile phones). DND 3.0 App Features: Source: Screenshot of the app [&hellip;]
- [Locked Out of WhatsApp?  Stay Alert- It Could Be a Scam](https://saferinternetindia.com/locked-out-of-whatsapp-stay-alert-it-could-be-a-scam/): 1. WhatsApp takeover scam A growing number of WhatsApp users are losing access to their accounts after unknowingly handing over their six-digit verification codes (OTP) to scammers. Once hackers gain control, they send the same fake message to the victim’s contacts, pretending to be them and asking for the OTP or even money. This domino effect allows scammers to hijack account after account in a matter of minutes.&nbsp; 2. How the scam works Step 1: The attacker initiates a fake login attempt The scammer opens WhatsApp and enters your phone number obtained through a data leak, social media, or random [&hellip;]
- [Staying Smart in the Age of Smart Tech: How to Spot and Avoid AI-Driven Scams ](https://saferinternetindia.com/staying-smart-in-the-age-of-smart-tech-how-to-spot-and-avoid-ai-driven-scams/): Introduction&nbsp;&nbsp; Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming every aspect of our lives, and while it offers numerous benefits, it also presents new opportunities for scammers and fraudsters. These malicious actors abuse AI tools and technologies to devise new ways or enhance the effectiveness and scale of fraudulent activities. This includes generating convincing fake content, automating phishing attacks, and creating deepfakes to impersonate individuals, among others. According to a recent McAfee study, 83% of Indian victims targeted by AI voice scams suffered financial losses, with nearly 48% of them losing over ₹50,000. As digital scams and fraud become increasingly frequent and [&hellip;]
- [Building a Secure Digital Future for All](https://saferinternetindia.com/challenges-in-livestock-and-feed-management-practices-in-india/): From digital payments and online shopping to communication and entertainment, the internet has transformed how we live, work, and connect. With over 950 million internet subscribers and another 600 million yet to join, India’s digital economy is without parallel. But the growth in internet usage hasn’t been in lock-step with digital literacy, leading to a pressing challenge: keeping users safe online. India is the second most cyber-attacked country in the world. The threat surface is growing, and so are the instances of online scams, frauds, and data breaches.&nbsp; ​Why Internet Safety Matters More Than Ever  ​While the internet empowers millions, [&hellip;]

## Pages

- [Summit 2026](https://saferinternetindia.com/summit-2026/): With an online user base exceeding 900 million, India is poised for unprecedented digital growth. This expansion, however, introduces complex challenges to user safety, including sophisticated scams, harmful content, and emerging threats from AI amongst other issues. Addressing these risks is a strategic imperative. The Safer Internet India coalition is proud to announce our inaugural flagship summit on Safer Internet Day. The SII Summit will convene senior leaders from government, the technology industry, and civil society to establish a unified vision for a safer, more trustworthy digital future for all Indians. Summit Objectives Strategy &amp; Frameworks To disseminate actionable strategies [&hellip;]
- [Grievance Officers](https://saferinternetindia.com/grievance-officers/): List of Grievance Officers The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, require online platforms (“intermediaries”) to appoint grievance officers to handle user complaints. These complaints could be related to violations of the platform’s guidelines, terms of use, or provisions of the IT Rules.Grievance officers are required to acknowledge a complaint within 24 hours within the period of 15 days of complaint and resolve it within specific timeframes depending on its nature: 15 days for complaints about intellectual property violations. 72 hours for complaints involving content harmful to children, obscenity, invasion of privacy, promoting violence, impersonation, [&hellip;]
- [Events](https://saferinternetindia.com/events/): Past Events
- [Press](https://saferinternetindia.com/press/): Press
- [Blog](https://saferinternetindia.com/blog/): Blog
- [Publications](https://saferinternetindia.com/publications/): Publications
- [About](https://saferinternetindia.com/about/): Mission The Safer Internet India coalition aims to foster user welfare, trust and safety in the Indian digital economy and, in turn, supporting innovation-led growth. The coalition includes niche as well as multipurpose digital services, infrastructure providers and financial services. Foster user welfare, trust and safety in India’s digital economy, working in collaboration with government agencies and other institutional actors Advocate for a market-based response to enhance online trust and safety, and ensure thegrowth of an innovative, free and open internet Demonstrate thought leadership to advance the development of a safer internet in India Membership We welcome diverse perspectives to [&hellip;]
- [Home](https://saferinternetindia.com/): The Safer Internet India coalition is dedicated to enhancing user welfare, trust, and safety within India’s digital economy, thereby fostering innovation-driven growth. Members and Patrons The need of the hour Consistent responsible innovation to mitigate the increased exposure to risks for users of online applications and services A coordinated industry effort across diverse market segments to strengthen online trust and safety A platform for informed private sector engagement uniting various public and private institutions, and nearly a billion digital citizens Latest Events, Blogs &amp; Publications Our Focus Areas We address issues related to online trust and safety, specifically the ways in [&hellip;]


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