Who are the easiest targets for cyber fraud? Scammers have different traps for every age group..

A single phone call, a fraudulent offer, or the threat of arrest by the police—and suddenly, lakhs of rupees vanish from a bank account. Cyber ​​fraudsters do not care about your age or profession; they identify your vulnerabilities and craft their traps accordingly. Ratan Lal Agarwal, a businessman from Vrindavan, received a call from someone claiming to be an ATS (Anti-Terror Squad) officer. The caller alleged that his wife’s mobile number had been linked to a serious crime.

Following this, Ratan Lal was kept on continuous audio and video calls. He was even forbidden from leaving the room or speaking to his family. Driven by fear, he transferred 30 lakh rupees via RTGS into an account specified by the fraudsters. When his son discovered what had happened, he filed a complaint with the Cyber ​​Cell, and the police were able to place a hold on 15 lakh rupees.

This case illustrates that cyber fraud is no longer limited to malicious links or OTP scams. Fraudsters adapt their tactics based on an individual’s age, needs, and fears. The younger generation is often lured with promises of quick earnings or discounts, while older individuals are targeted through intimidation involving the police, the law, or their families.

Do cyber fraudsters tailor their traps based on age?
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) does not publish data on cybercrime victims categorized by age. Consequently, it is difficult to determine—based on official statistics—which age group is most frequently targeted. However, the methods employed by these fraudsters clearly show that they exploit the specific vulnerabilities of different individuals.

Cybersecurity expert Jiten Jain notes that young people spend a significant amount of time online and may be easily drawn to offers involving instant discounts, social media promotions, or quick profits. Fraudsters exploit this by creating a sense of urgency—such as presenting "limited-time" offers or suggesting that an opportunity might be lost—to pressure victims into making hasty decisions without proper verification. 

The working class can be ensnared through fake job offers, stock market schemes, cryptocurrency, and fraudulent investment plans. Elderly individuals are often targeted by being led to believe that a family member is in trouble, facing a financial crisis, or caught up in legal proceedings. In "digital arrest" scams, fraudsters pose as police officers or government officials to intimidate victims and coerce them into transferring money. Jiten Jain notes that scammers are now leveraging leaked personal information and AI-generated messages; this makes their communications appear highly authentic, making it difficult for victims to detect the deception.

Over 2.4 million complaints in 2025
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, 2,402,579 complaints regarding financial cyber fraud were registered on the National Cyber ​​Crime Reporting Portal in 2025, involving a reported loss of ₹22,495 crore. Such incidents have continued into 2026. By June 30, 2026, the Indian Cyber ​​Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) had facilitated action on over 3.28 million complaints, successfully preventing more than ₹11,158 crore from being siphoned out of victims' accounts.

Diverse cases of fraud: From the youth to the elderly
October 6, 2026, Ahmedabad: A 25-year-old man was threatened by individuals posing as police officers and YouTube officials during a video call, resulting in a loss of ₹49.78 lakh.

September 29, 2026, Pune: A 27-year-old IT professional purchased after seeing an advertisement for a saree on social media, leading to the loss of ₹1.19 lakh from their account.

September 17, 2026, Mumbai: A 68-year-old individual was subjected to a "digital arrest" by scammers posing as telecom officials, who used the threat of a money-laundering investigation to coerce the victim into transferring ₹1.12 crore. September 3, 2026, Lucknow: Dr. Zia was subjected to a "digital arrest" by individuals posing as ATS officers, who claimed her name was linked to terror activities. She was defrauded of ₹1.55 crore.

August 19, 2026, Lucknow: A retired FCI employee and his wife were kept under "digital arrest" for 18 days. The perpetrators, posing as officials from the ATS, NIA, and CBI, coerced them into transferring ₹42.09 lakh.

Why is every minute crucial after a fraud occurs?
It is essential to file a complaint as soon as you realize you have been a victim of cyber fraud. Jiten Jain explains that fraudsters can rapidly move stolen funds across multiple bank accounts, making it difficult to trace and recover the money. Therefore, in the event of a fraud, immediately call 1930, register a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in, and notify your bank. Do not delete any evidence, such as call logs, messages, or transaction records.

Cyber ​​fraud is not limited to any specific age group. While the methods used by fraudsters may vary, the rule for protection remains the same: do not make decisions driven by the lure of quick profits, and do not trust calls intended to intimidate you. Always verify the information first, and file a complaint the moment you realize you have been defrauded.

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