Unmasking the Cyber Crooks: Storytellers of the Digital Underworld

According to Hemant Tiwari, Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Cyber Crime unit of Delhi Police, modern cybercriminals are skillful storytellers with minimal education who manipulate unsuspecting victims. Despite lacking technical expertise, these crooks employ psychological tactics to ensnare well-educated, financially stable individuals through various fraud schemes, including 'digital arrest' and sextortion.

Cybercriminals today are more storytellers than tech experts, preying on unsuspecting victims through intelligent manipulation rather than technical prowess, says Hemant Tiwari, Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Cyber Crime unit of Delhi Police.

Tiwari explains that these fraudsters often lack formal education but excel in convincing their targets to trust them. Surprisingly, many victims are well-educated, investment-savvy individuals who fall for schemes under the guise of law enforcement or digital arrest.

One striking case involved a West Bengal-based elderly woman who, despite being warned by police, sought the crook's advice upon hearing she might be getting scammed. The trend exposes a dire need for heightened cyber vigilance, especially as these fraudsters exploit social media details and personal vulnerabilities.

(With inputs from agencies.)