Sextortion, Slavery, Child Exploitation: Cybercrime On Alarming Rise In Jammu And Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir’s top cybercrime official has warned of an alarming rise in digital fraud and abuse across the Union Territory, highlighting that most victims are unaware of evolving threats ranging from bank scams and sextortion to cyber slavery and malware embedded in files.

Senior Superintendent of Police Mohammad Yaseen Kichloo, who heads the region’s Cyber Crime Investigation Centre for Excellence, said at a press conference on Friday (June 27) that awareness is the public’s best defence.

What are the most common cyber threats in Jammu and Kashmir?

“In 95 per cent of the cases, bank accounts are drained. In 12 per cent, we see instances of child exploitation, sexual harassment, or sextortion,” local media outlet Kashmir Life cited Kichloo as saying, pointing to the dominance of financial and personal abuse in cybercrime reports.

He noted an uptick in so-called “digital arrest” scams, where fraudsters impersonate officials to extort victims. “Recently, a few teachers in Kashmir were targeted through such digital arrest calls on WhatsApp. Thankfully, they contacted us, and we saved them from being trapped,” he said.

Kichloo also flagged the use of sophisticated deception methods: “Such fraudsters use uniforms and official language to scare the victims. They pose as CBI officers, police, judges, or even bank officials. People should not fall for these tactics or share any personal details.”

What should people do immediately after falling victim to cyber fraud?

The SSP stressed the importance of timing: “If someone contacts us within that golden hour, we can freeze the fraudulent transaction. Last year, we recovered nearly Rs 7 crore and returned it to people’s accounts.” He urged citizens to call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 without delay.

He also advised digital caution. “Cybercrime has become a science in itself, and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has taken a great initiative by sanctioning cyber police stations in every district. These stations are also supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).”

Additionally, he encouraged basic security practices: “You can enable two-factor authentication on WhatsApp for extra protection. Many people don’t know this and later report their WhatsApp being hacked.”

What are the latest cybercrime trends residents should watch out for?

Kichloo described several newer threats, including steganography—where malware is hidden inside innocuous-looking images or PDFs. “You might receive a photo asking if you recognise a missing person. That image might contain malware or a virus that gets downloaded to your phone and compromises your data,” he said.

He also warned about sextortion and Facebook cloning: “People use high-pixel profile pictures and accept random friend requests. This allows fraudsters to easily clone accounts.”

On more severe developments, Kichloo said cyber slavery and “Pig Butchering” scams are now affecting Kashmir. “In cyber slavery, children and youth are lured through fake placement agencies promising jobs abroad. They are taken to borders of countries like Cambodia or Myanmar, where they are locked in rooms and forced to run cyber scams.”

Cautioning further, he said, “Hackers can compromise your phone even through a charger. Always carry a power bank and be cautious when giving your phone for scanning or photocopying.”

For cases involving sexual blackmail, the SSP made a direct appeal: “This is not the fault of the victim. But out of fear, people often end up paying money to the blackmailers. In such cases, don’t panic. Immediately call 1930 or inform the nearest cyber police station.”

Kichloo concluded with a message of reassurance: “You are not alone. The cyber police are with you 24/7. If you face any problem, reach out to us through helpline 1930 or visit your nearest cyber police station.”

“Through this awareness, we want to protect every citizen from cyber fraud. Your safety is our responsibility,” he added.