Cyberabad, Nov 21 (UNI) The digital boom has brought unprecedented convenience, but it has also fueled a surge in cybercrimes impacting families, youth, and children at an alarming rate.
In a fresh advisory, the Cyberabad Police cautioned that online betting, deepfake abuse, romance scams, harmful games targeting children, and manipulative social-media content are quietly reshaping social behavior and mental well-being. “Criminals no longer break into homes; they break into minds through screens,” the advisory noted.
Online betting has emerged as one of the most widespread addictions, pushing youngsters into debt, emotional distress, and in some cases, tragic outcomes. Deepfake technology is being misused, particularly against women, with cybercriminals creating fake explicit content for blackmail. Romance scams and impersonation calls, often claiming involvement in crimes, exploit emotions and fear to extort money.
Fraudulent job offers, overseas employment scams, and fake investment platforms are trapping thousands of young aspirants. Dangerous online challenges disguised as harmless games are resurfacing, exposing children to risky and self-harming behaviour.
The obsession with social-media fame is pushing youth into life-threatening stunts, while courier services are being misused to transport illegal items to unsuspecting households. Sextortion, identity theft, and misuse of biometric data have added to the growing list of cyber risks.
Emphasising that these are not isolated incidents but part of a rapidly expanding digital threat landscape, the Cyberabad Police urged citizens to remain vigilant, adopt safe online practices, and immediately report any suspicious activity or cybercrime. They stressed that awareness and caution remain the strongest protection in an increasingly vulnerable digital world, a Cyberabad police statement said on Friday.
Cyberabad Police warn of rising cyber threats affecting families
