Cyberabad Police has sounded the alarm over growing digital dangers that are changing family life, mental health and social behavior and urged citizens to adopt strict digital hygiene as cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting young people and children.
In a detailed advisory titled ‘Caught in the digital web – vigilance is the only shield’, the police said that online betting, deeply fake videos, romance scams, manipulative social media content and malicious games are emerging as silent threats that often infiltrate homes through mobile phones. Police have warned that today’s criminals no longer break into homes, but instead break into minds through screens.
They say the menace of betting drives young people into addiction, debt and emotional distress, with several victims forced to pawn valuables or even attempt suicide. Cyberabad police warned that betting is not a means of making money but a habit that destroys peace, finances and personal well-being. Addiction to mobile devices late at night has also led to sleep deprivation, anxiety, academic decline and workplace burnout.
Deepfake technology has been identified as one of the most worrying threats, especially for women, as cybercriminals now create fake explicit videos using a single photo or clip to blackmail victims. Romance scams have been described as emotionally devastating, with criminals building trust online before using morphed images and edited videos to extort money. “What starts as a simple ‘Hi’ on social media often turns into carefully scripted emotional manipulation. Romance scams are quickly becoming one of the most emotionally destructive forms of cybercrime,” the advisory said.
The advisory highlighted fake police calls and identity fraud, where people are told their ID is involved in a crime and forced to transfer money out of fear. Fraudulent job offers and overseas opportunities are also being used to target desperate job seekers, while illegal courier delivery has become another tactic to transport contraband into unsuspecting households, turning ordinary homes into a conduit for crime.
Children face increasing risks of dangerous online challenges disguised as games and attempts to obtain their biometric data through fake platforms. The youth also attempt stunts and rush to fame on social media, often leading to fatal consequences.
Police have described sextortion and fake investment platforms on messaging apps as fast-growing threats, warning that clone links, loan apps and microfinance predators are trapping people in cycles of debt. They said the digital age has created new crimes that society has never seen before.
Cyberabad police urged parents to keep a close eye on their children’s screen time and advised citizens to avoid suspicious calls, links and messages, verify job offers before acting and report any form of online fraud or intimidation immediately. They emphasized that technology is a double-edged sword and that mindfulness, caution and vigilance are the only real shields in the virtual world.
Published – 23 Nov 2025 20:10 IST
