New Delhi: The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Amazon India have launched a nationwide campaign, #ScamSmartIndia, to raise awareness about online scams as festive shopping picks up. The move comes at a time when authorities have flagged a sharp increase in cybercrime cases linked to e-commerce and digital payments.
The campaign will run through September under the banner of “Scam-Free September” and aims to reach internet users across different demographics, especially first-time shoppers and senior citizens, who remain highly vulnerable to fraud. Awareness material will be shared through Amazon deliveries, social media advisories, and community workshops. Officials said the initiative focuses on educating consumers on how to detect phishing attempts, avoid fake websites, and adopt secure digital practices while shopping online.
Nishant Kumar, Director at I4C, said the campaign seeks to equip citizens with the necessary tools to prevent fraud during the festive period. Amazon India’s legal head, Rakesh Bakshi, pointed out that scammers often misuse brand names, which erodes trust among consumers, and stressed the need for practical prevention measures.
In addition to public awareness, I4C and Amazon India are jointly organising a hackathon to develop AI-based tools for fraud detection, aiming to build stronger technological defences against identity theft and financial fraud.
According to official estimates, over half of India’s fraud cases now occur online, underlining the urgency of such collaborations. The campaign adds to ongoing government and industry efforts to strengthen digital literacy and consumer protection as online shopping continues to expand in India.
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