Cybercrime Fraud Attempt in Prayagraj Exposes National Weakness in Policing Digital Crimes
BK Singh
Prayagraj witnessed yet another shocking case of cyber fraud when 83-year-old Mazhar Hasan, a retired government employee and a resident of Beli, narrowly escaped a well-orchestrated digital scam. The fraudsters falsely accused him of being linked to terrorists and involved in money laundering in an attempt to extort personal and financial information.
The incident took place on August 27, 2025, when Hasan received a call from an unidentified number.
The caller, posing as a senior government officer, threatened Hasan with arrest and severe legal action if he did not cooperate. In a bid to intimidate him further, the caller even connected via video call and introduced himself as “Gaurav Grover.”
He demanded Hasan’s Aadhaar card details and other confidential data, hoping to manipulate the elderly man into submission.
However, Hasan’s presence of mind saved him from becoming a victim. He immediately sensed foul play, refused to share his personal details, disconnected the call, and promptly lodged a complaint with the Cantonment Police Station in Prayagraj.
The Station House Officer (SHO) Sunil Kumar commended Hasan’s alertness and registered a formal First Information Report (FIR). Police investigations are now underway.
A Wake-Up Call for Law Enforcement
While Hasan’s quick thinking averted a financial tragedy, the incident raises serious questions about the preparedness of India’s cybercrime policing system. In most such cases, criminals operate from different states or even abroad, using encrypted communication and digital anonymity, making it almost impossible for local police to track them.
Data reveals that thousands of cybercrime cases across India are closed without resolution each year because investigators lack the tools, training, and technical support to identify and arrest the perpetrators. This failure has emboldened cybercriminals, who exploit legal loopholes and technological gaps to operate with near impunity.
A Nationwide Menace
Such scams are not isolated incidents limited to Prayagraj. Across India, victims — particularly the elderly — are being intimidated through fake calls, “digital arrest” threats, and fabricated allegations of terrorism or money laundering. Many individuals have lost their life savings, while in some cases, people have been mentally harassed to the brink of trauma.
Experts warn that India’s cybercrime infrastructure is far behind the criminals it seeks to catch. Without a significant technological overhaul, enhanced funding, and manpower, law enforcement agencies will continue to struggle.
Time for the Home Ministry to Intervene
This case is a reminder that cybersecurity is now a national security issue. The Ministry of Home Affairs must take urgent cognizance of the increasing frequency and sophistication of cybercrimes. A centralised task force equipped with AI-based tracing tools, digital forensics experts, and pan-India coordination is the need of the hour.
As long as such cases continue to be filed and forgotten, fraudsters will grow more daring, leaving ordinary citizens vulnerable to digital exploitation. Hasan’s bravery saved him from becoming a victim, but thousands of others may not be as fortunate.
Mazhar Hasan’s case is not just a local news story; it is a national alarm bell. Citizens are being targeted every day, yet conviction rates in cybercrime cases remain dismally low.
If India is to protect its people in the digital era, it must prioritise modernising its cybercrime investigation systems, strengthening cross-border cooperation, and raising public awareness.
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