In response to the rise in cyber crimes, the Navi Mumbai Police has launched an innovative initiative aimed at increasing cyber security awareness among citizens. As Navi Mumbai evolves into a twenty-first-century city, cyber criminals have adopted sophisticated methods to exploit online transactions, taking advantage of citizens' lack of awareness.

Despite the use of advanced technologies by the police to catch these cyber criminals, the lack of public knowledge about online safety has led to significant financial losses. Cyber criminals employ various schemes, including online part-time job scams, task frauds, share market trading frauds, sextortion, extortion threats related to money laundering, fake electricity bill dues, and fraudulent bank KYC processes. Online shoppers are also frequent targets of these scams.

Recently, citizens have been lured into fraudulent schemes via WhatsApp messages, promising easy money through tasks like liking YouTube videos. These schemes initially pay small amounts to build trust before extorting larger sums. Cyber criminals have also hacked emails of international businesses, creating fake emails to steal crores of rupees.

To combat these threats, the Navi Mumbai Police has initiated a comprehensive public awareness campaign using digital media. The campaign includes:

1. Society Adoption Scheme for Cyber Awareness:

 - Police officers across Navi Mumbai will adopt 5 to 10 societies in their areas.

   - They will create WhatsApp groups for these societies and share cyber security awareness videos and digital posters featuring well-known personalities from the Hindi-Marathi film industry.

- These materials will be distributed through society presidents and secretaries to all members.

2. Public Awareness Through Social Media:

   - The same cyber security content will be posted on the Navi Mumbai Police’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

   - Citizens are encouraged to follow these social media accounts for updates and information.

Gajanan Kadam, Senior Police Inspector of the Cyber Police Station in Navi Mumbai, stated, "Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe’s idea is to leverage digital media for innovative public awareness activities about cyber crime. Since WhatsApp is widely used, we aim to reach every citizen through this medium. We urge citizens to participate in these activities and follow our social media channels for more information."

Citizens are encouraged to follow the Navi Mumbai Police on Facebook (@navimumbaipolice.gov.in) and Instagram (@navimumbaipolice) for the latest updates and awareness materials.