Punjab & Haryana HC rings alarm on rising cyber fraud

IN a digital age where convenience comes with a cost, cybercrime has emerged as the “silent virus” of our times. The Punjab and Haryana High Court’s recent refusal of bail in a Rs 10-lakh fraud case has once again underscored the insidious reach of cybercriminals and the judiciary’s concern over the growing threat to ‘Digital Bharat’. Cybercrime today is disturbingly versatile. From phishing and identity theft to online stalking and extortion, no section of society is immune. Particularly vulnerable are the elderly, who are increasingly being targeted for financial crimes, as noted in recent news reports, highlighting their susceptibility to digital deception. Adding to this concern is the surge in “digital arrest” frauds, where scammers impersonate authorities to extract money. This trend has alarmed the Goa Police enough to issue advisories to banks for flagging high-value transactions.