Cybercrime Against Seniors In India: Why Seniors Need Digital Safety Training Now

Digital arrest is one of the cybercrime fraudsters are using these days to extort money from senior citizens. Although the concept of digital arrest does not exist under the law, many unsuspecting seniors fall into this trap. But, this is one of the digital frauds that gained attention last year when the Supreme Court took Suo Motu cognisance of a matter involving an elderly couple who were duped of Rs 1.05 crore in one such fraud. One of the reasons that senior citizens are easy targets of digital fraud is the lack of digital literacy among them, and social isolation. The Safer Internet Day, today on February 10, 2026, is a reminder that in the generative artificial intelligence (AI) era, digital literacy does not remain a choice. It has become a necessity.

This year’s theme is "Smart tech, safe choices, exploring the safe and responsible use of AI”. Nowadays, when everything is becoming digital, from buying groceries to paying phone bills, to transferring money from a bank account and submitting a life certificate, the internet has become a basic necessity. And, navigating the internet safely has become crucial to stay away from fraud or to engage in pursuits that may eventually turn out to be a scam.

Seniors Score Over 50 Per Cent In Digital Inclusion Index

Per the Understanding Intergenerational Dynamics & Perceptions on Ageing report in 2025 by HelpAge India, the elderly score 50.71 on the Digital Inclusion Index, on a 1-100 scale. Per the report, the reasons for seniors lacking in digital skills are the level of digital access, comfort in use, learning support, and other barriers.

The report throws light on the data that many elders want to learn, but the complexity, fear of making mistakes, and lack of support from youngsters pose constraints. Per the report, around 66 per cent of the elderly find digital tools too confusing, and 51 per cent fear making mistakes.

Cyber Crime Against Seniors

Kunal Kishore, Mission Head-Agecare, HelpAge India, shares, “As elders come online, cybercrimes against seniors rose 86 per cent between 2020 and 2022, exposing them to phishing, OTP fraud, ‘digital arrest’ scams, and now AI deepfakes, along with low digital skills, constantly changing applications, and accessibility barriers that erode confidence.”

Since the societal structure is evolving with children living in other cities and in other countries, many seniors live alone, and the fast-changing technological space becomes a far cry from what they know.

It highlights the need to train the elderly to use digital tools as well as the internet without being trapped in fraud, the biggest reason for fear.  

Why Structured Training Is Crucial For Seniors

Says Prateep Chakraborty, COO, HelpAge India: “At a time when cyber frauds and digital scams are on the rise, this lack of digital confidence places older adults at greater risk, especially as essential services such as banking, healthcare, and government services increasingly move online. The challenge, however, is not reluctance to adopt technology, but the need for structured and patient guidance and digital safety awareness.”

While the government has taken several initiatives for the elderly in India, these are also ironically available through digital platforms, such as the Senior Care Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE) portal, Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED) portal, Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) portal, Senior Citizen Welfare portal, among others.

What Can Be Done

There are programmes for seniors’ digital awareness run by the government, but the elderly themselves and their family members can also work toward this. The best way is when youngsters teach their elderly family members and update them about digital tools, apps, and the internet, and make them aware of the risks as well as safe spaces on the internet to get information.

7 Safety Measures For Seniors To Keep In Mind

• Learn the basics of using a smartphone, computer, and navigating the internet without clicking on fake links. Learn from children, family members, and trusted people.

• Never click on links shared by unknown people on different social media platforms, and never share personal information like bank account details, PIN, Aadhaar and PAN details with unknown people.

• Learn about the trusted websites and do the transactions only through them, instead of trying out random new unverified websites.

• When someone calls from a reputable institution asking for your personal information, don’t share the information; call back and verify before sharing any information.

• Keep the digital devices secured with anti-virus software. Take help from children, grandchildren or other family members if required.

• Ask questions and never transfer money when an official or police officer asks for it in the guise of carrying out an investigation in a money laundering case or your alleged involvement in any other illegal activity. If they ask to keep the video and audio on, question it because digital arrest doesn’t exist in law.

• Stay connected with family and friends and socially engaged. This would help not only to keep loneliness at bay but also to stay updated.