WhatsApp tops list of social media platforms exploited by cybercriminals

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has been working with tech giants like Google and Facebook to enhance proactive measures against cybercrime

The Union Home Ministry's latest report highlights that WhatsApp, followed by Telegram and Instagram, remain the most common platforms for online scams in India. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, 43,797 complaints were received regarding cyber frauds conducted via WhatsApp, with 22,680 complaints related to Telegram and 19,800 involving Instagram.

According to the ministry's annual report for 2023-24, cybercriminals have increasingly been exploiting Google services to perpetrate these scams. The report mentions that the Google Advertisement platform allows targeted ads to be placed across borders, providing a convenient method for cyber fraudsters to reach potential victims.

The scams, notably the "Pig Butchering Scam" or "Investment Scam," involve large-scale money laundering and, in some cases, even cyber slavery. These frauds primarily target vulnerable groups such as unemployed youths, housewives, students, and those in financial distress, leading to significant monetary losses, often from borrowed funds.

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has been working with tech giants like Google and Facebook to enhance proactive measures against cybercrime. This collaboration involves sharing intelligence and flagging digital lending apps and instances where Google’s Firebase domains are misused by criminals. I4C also works to identify and share links to fraudulent apps advertised via Facebook to prevent their spread.