Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 27: Maharashtra Cyber launched a cyber-awareness short film titled Digital Arrest and the '1930 Maharashtra Cyber Anthem' at an event in Mumbai on Wednesday, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and several celebrities attending.

Actors Ashish Vidyarthi, Pankaj Tripathi, Sharad Kelkar, Sonali Bendre, Javed Jaffrey and Mangesh Desai, along with singer Sunidhi Chauhan and comedian Samay Raina, contributed to the campaign and attended the event. The number 1930 is Maharashtra's cybercrime helpline.

Speaking at the event, Fadnavis stressed the need for greater public awareness to tackle cybercrime. He said artists, actors and singers could play an important role in reaching citizens with messages about online fraud.

Fadnavis warned that cybercriminals often frighten victims by posing as police officers, CBI officials or judges. He urged citizens not to fall for such tactics and to immediately contact the 1930 helpline in case of cyber fraud.

The celebrities were felicitated for their contribution to the awareness film and the Maharashtra Cyber anthem.

Raina, who was also felicitated, spoke about his long association with Maharashtra Cyber and praised the agency's work in tackling cybercrime. He also joked about being woken up early for the event.

Speaking to ANI, Vidyarthi said the campaign was important as technology, while making people's lives easier, was also being misused by criminals to target ordinary citizens.

Vidyarthi said the campaign would help spread awareness that there is no such thing as a 'digital arrest' and enable people to recognise the scam.

The 'digital arrest' scam involves fraudsters impersonating police officers, government officials or other authorities to intimidate victims and extort money from them.

The campaign aims to encourage citizens to remain alert and report cyber fraud promptly through Maharashtra's 1930 cybercrime helpline.