Cybercriminals Target Delhi Senior Citizens, Women, and Children, NCRB Data Shows
Cybercriminals in Delhi are increasingly tailoring digital threats to target specific vulnerable demographic groups, including senior citizens, women, and children. According to recent National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, these targeted campaigns have resulted in significant financial losses for the elderly and severe digital exploitation of women and minors across the capital.
Senior citizens in Delhi have emerged as prime targets for digital financial fraud. NCRB data reveals that 198 senior citizens aged 60 and above fell victim to cheating and fraudulent schemes in Delhi in 2024, following 205 such cases registered in 2023. Scammers frequently use sophisticated social engineering, fake customer care alerts, and bank impersonation tactics to drain the life savings of elderly victims.
According to police officials, elderly individuals are disproportionately vulnerable due to a lack of familiarity with digital security protocols, phishing red flags, and multi-factor authentication. Vinit Kumar, DCP (IFSO), noted that senior citizens often lack digital hygiene and tend to trust unknown callers, making them susceptible to "digital arrest" scams.
DCP Kumar also warned of a common modus operandi where scammers pose as electricity department officials. The fraudsters warn victims that their power supply will be disconnected, send an APK file, and instruct them to fill in bank details, which leads to immediate financial fraud.
Meanwhile, women in Delhi face a hostile digital environment marked by targeted harassment and cyber exploitation. NCRB data shows that 78 cybercrime and Information Technology Act cases were registered in Delhi in 2024 where women aged 18 and above were the primary victims. Of these, 75 cases involved the unauthorised publishing or transmission of sexually explicit content online, up from 36 such cases in 2023.
Children are also facing a sharp surge in online threats. NCRB data recorded 151 cybercrime cases targeting children in Delhi in 2024, a massive increase from just 14 cases registered in 2023. Out of the 2024 cases, 149 involved the online publication or transmission of material depicting children in sexually explicit acts.
In cases involving women and children, perpetrators often create fake online identities, posing as attractive and wealthy individuals to groom victims. DCP Kumar advised women to verify who they are interacting with online and avoid sharing personal information on the internet, while cyber cell officers noted that children's innocence and unmonitored screen time leave them highly vulnerable.
