Cybercrime in India is increasingly driven by a widespread lack of digital awareness, rather than advanced hacking, according to Mangaluru Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Geetha Kulkarni. Addressing students during a session on cyber safety and legal literacy at the World Konkani Centre, she stressed that many online frauds succeed simply because users lack knowledge of basic online security.
The session was part of a three-day skill development camp for students belonging to the Kudal Deshkar community. ACP Kulkarni educated participants about common forms of cyber fraud, including UPI scams, fake job offers, and identity theft. She also stressed the importance of timely reporting and understanding legal channels available to victims.
The event saw active student engagement, with many sharing personal experiences and seeking guidance on safeguarding their digital presence. Questions ranged from preventing cyber fraud to protecting sensitive information online.
Kulkarni urged attendees to develop digital discipline, regularly update passwords, avoid suspicious links, and never share OTPs or banking details. She emphasized that digital vigilance, combined with legal literacy, can drastically reduce one’s vulnerability to online fraud.
The session was attended by notable members of the World Konkani Centre and Dakshina Kannada Kudal Deshastha Adya Gaud Brahmin Sangha, including COO Dr. B Devadas Pai and Vice President D Ramesh Nayak Maira, who lauded the initiative for equipping youth with real-world cybersecurity awareness.