Stronger Cyber Laws, Advanced Investigation Systems and Public Awareness Key to Cyber Security: Principal Secretary Brijesh Singh

Mumbai, May 2026 : Brijesh Singh said that with the rapid rise in digital transactions and increasing incidents of cyber fraud, greater emphasis is being placed on policy reforms, stricter cyber laws, modern investigative systems, and large-scale public awareness initiatives to strengthen cyber security.

He warned that cyber criminals are increasingly using advanced technologies to target citizens and that cybercrime has now evolved into a highly organised and “corporate-style” criminal network, making public vigilance more important than ever.

Brijesh Singh was speaking during a session titled “Evolving Landscape in Cyber Security – Threats, Challenges and Opportunities” organised under the “Tech-Wari 2.0 – Maharashtra Training Week” initiative conducted by the General Administration Department.

Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department V. Radha, along with senior officials and employees, was also present at the event.

Singh stated that as digital transactions continue to grow, technical safeguards alone are no longer sufficient. He stressed that adopting secure digital practices and increasing public awareness are equally important in preventing cyber fraud.

He said cyber criminals are constantly developing new methods, making it necessary to update laws and implement stricter regulations. Investigation agencies are also being equipped with modern tools and specialised training to tackle increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Use of Mule Accounts and Cryptocurrency

Explaining the organised financial networks behind cyber fraud, Singh said that money obtained through scams is often split across multiple bank accounts within minutes using so-called “mule accounts.”

He noted that the funds are then transferred through layered transactions and eventually converted into cryptocurrency before being sent abroad.

According to Singh, the use of “hub billing” methods — where large sums are broken into several smaller transactions — makes tracking the money trail extremely difficult for investigating agencies. He added that the entire network often operates under strict service-level protocols to complete transactions within fixed timelines.

He further said that transactions through dollar-linked stablecoins, especially USDT, have made monitoring and controlling cybercrime even more challenging.

Rise of “Digital Arrest” Frauds

Singh also highlighted the growing threat of “digital arrest” scams, which have created fear among citizens across the country.

In such cases, fraudsters pose as police officers, CBI officials, or government authorities through fake phone or video calls and place victims under psychological pressure to extort large amounts of money.

He warned that cyber criminals are increasingly using personal information available on social media to trap people through social engineering techniques. The use of fake websites, fraudulent mobile applications, deepfake videos, and voice impersonation technologies has also increased significantly.

International Call Centre Networks

Singh revealed that organised cybercrime networks operating from countries such as Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia are targeting Indian citizens in multiple languages.

He said these international operations have made cybercrime investigations far more complex, especially as large amounts of money are moved abroad through cryptocurrency channels.

Appeal for Immediate Reporting

Urging citizens to remain alert, Singh advised people to avoid responding to suspicious calls, unknown links, and fraudulent messages. He also recommended limiting the sharing of personal information online and immediately reporting any suspected fraud.

He informed that citizens can report cyber fraud through the National Cyber Helpline number 1930, where efforts are made to freeze suspicious transactions quickly.

Additionally, complaints can be filed online through the official cybercrime reporting portal: National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

Singh stressed that victims should immediately contact their banks, change passwords, and preserve all related evidence as soon as they realise they have been targeted by cyber fraud.