Panaji: While investigating cyber fraud cases, Goa police have observed that senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to cybercrimes because generally their digital literacy is limited, they have a trusting nature, they are lonely although financially stable, and they lack immediate support.Over the past 9 months, 36 senior citizens have been defrauded by cybercriminals.Cybercrime SP Rahul Gupta said that with the increasing digitisation of banking, communication, and day-to-day services, senior citizens have become soft targets for cybercriminals.“In Goa, a sizable number of senior citizens have become victims of cybercrimes. From Sep 2024 to date, a total of 36 senior citizens have been cheated by cyber fraudsters, and of them, 15 victims faced the trauma of the digital arrest scam,” Gupta said.He said that in many cases, the victims do not report the crime out of shame, fear, or lack of knowledge. “Some even lose their life savings or fall into depression due to the emotional toll.”“Fraudsters exploit their trust, unfamiliarity with digital tools, and emotional triggers, leading to devastating financial and psychological consequences.”The cybercrime SP said that while the internet has brought convenience, it has also opened doors to scams targeting older adults who may lack technical knowledge or cyber awareness.

Cases across India show senior citizens losing lakhs of rupees to cybercriminals.“Protecting our senior citizens from cyber fraud is not just a matter of cybersecurity but of social responsibility,” Gupta said. “With the right awareness, support, and preventive actions, we can safeguard the dignity and finances of our elderly population in this digital age, and the cybercrime police station at Ribandar is committed to ensuring that.”Last month, Goa police arrested a Karnataka resident in alleged connection with a major cyber fraud case involving an amount of over Rs 1 crore. The case was registered at the cybercrime police station based on a complaint lodged by a resident of Old Goa.In Nov, Kumar Utlasar, 50, a Bengaluru resident, was arrested by the cybercrime cell of Goa police in connection with an alleged high-value investment fraud worth Rs 2.3 crore. A complaint in this case was filed by a resident of Valpoi, Sattari.