Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jun 29: In a bid to curb the rising number of cyber frauds targeting the elderly, Goa police have asked banks to share details of senior citizens who are high-net-worth individuals. The move is aimed at conducting targeted awareness drives to safeguard vulnerable individuals from digital scams.
In a letter addressed to banks, Superintendent of Police (Cybercrime) Rahul Gupta highlighted the growing menace of “digital arrest” scams. Fraudsters, posing as law enforcement or government officials, have been tricking senior citizens into transferring large sums under false accusations of involvement in criminal cases.
“To proactively address this menace, your branch is requested to share a list of customers who are senior citizens maintaining bank balances exceeding Rs 10 lac, along with their name, residential address, age, and contact number,” Gupta stated.
He assured that the data will be used strictly for awareness initiatives such as personal visits, official communication, and educational programmes. The outreach will aim to inform senior citizens about common fraud tactics and offer practical advice on digital safety.
Over the past nine months, Goa police have recorded 36 cases of senior citizens being defrauded online, with 15 of them falling victim to digital arrest scams alone. Officials noted that senior citizens are more susceptible to cybercrimes due to limited digital literacy, a trusting nature, and lack of immediate support.
Last month, police arrested a Karnataka-based man in connection with a Rs 1 cr cyber fraud case, following a complaint from a resident of Old Goa. Similarly, in November, another Bengaluru resident was arrested for allegedly orchestrating a Rs 2.3 cr investment scam reported in Valpoi.
Additionally, an interstate gang was busted on Friday for targeting elderly ATM users. The accused would pretend to help victims withdraw money, switch their original ATM cards with fake ones, and then use the genuine cards to steal money.
With the growing digitisation of banking and services, Goa police stress the importance of proactive engagement to protect senior citizens from falling prey to cybercriminals.