There are groups in certain parts of the country that become adept at particular types of cons. They then stick to these cons, and the area becomes a hub. The more we made our societies advanced in technology, development & wealth the more we became modern thieves & it's now digital begging.

Imagine waking up one day to find that your bank account has been emptied, your social media accounts have been taken over by someone, your personal data has been breached. As our personal and financial information continues to be stored online the threat of falling prey, to cybercrime has been escalating rapidly. It isn't just individuals who're, in danger. Also businesses and governments worldwide. So what basically cybercrime is?
Cybercrime is a violation that occurs when individuals employ computer and digital technologies to engage in activities, like theft, fraud and identity theft. Cybercrime can take different forms such as phishing, scams, ransomware attacks, cyber stalking , hacking etc

Phishing

A type of cybercrime where criminals tricks a victim by sending fake email or messages that seem to be from an authentic source with intention to receive sensitive information such as login credentials or credit card information .
In order to shield oneself from falling prey to phishing you should never give out personal information like passwords, credit card numbers to anyone over internet.

Ransomware Attack

A particular kind of software that locks up the files of a person or organization and asks for payment in order to provide the decryption key
To ensure your safety, against these attacks it is important to update your software, exercise caution when opening email attachments and refrain from downloading software from sources that are not trustworthy.

Identity Theft

In this type of cybercrime criminal steals/ uses the name and other personal information of some other person in order to commit fraud or other crimes
Use strong passwords, be cautious when sharing personal information online, monitor your credit card report and be careful while using public WiFi in order to protect oneself from this type of cybercrime.

Cyber Stalking

It is a form of harassment through electronic means e. g, through emails , social media etc

Hacking

It is a situation when a criminal steals your data or causes damage to your computer system by accessing to your computer or network unauthorisedly
Use strong passwords, use two factor authentication, avoid suspicious links or downloads, be cautious when sharing personal information online in order to protect yourself from this common type of cybercrime.

Cyber Crime in Kashmir

Since cybercrime is a worldwide issue unfortunately , Kashmir has not been spared from its negative effects
The rise of cybercrime poses a threat in our technology driven society. With the advancements in connectivity and digital platforms, criminals have found ways to exploit weakness in our online systems.
Kashmir with its mesmerizing landscapes, vibrant culture and intricate political situation has encountered a hurdle in times. This hurdle not only jeopardize the security of region but also imperils the privacy and financial wellbeing of its inhabitants. The surge in cybercrime incidents in Kashmir poses a menace to individuals, enterprise, and government organizations as well. Kashmir referred to a paradise on earth has been grappling with this new and insidious threat in recent years. There are various factors which led to increase of the cybercrime in Kashmir e.g; connectivity through digital means has increased greatly in Kashmiri population , thanks to widespread use of smartphones and internet access, while this enhanced connectivity brings advantages, it also exposes vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals. The region's troubled past has resulted in a sense of disappointment and frustration felt by its inhabitants. They express this discontent through means like carrying out cyber-attacks, on government websites or participating in campaigns of harassment, on social media. Also like in other areas the lure of monetary gains remains a significant motivating factor, for cybercriminals operating in Kashmir. Lastly, the internet platform has allowed for the spread of ideas and the recruitment of individuals which can lead to extremism. Extremist groups are cleverly utilizing this space to target and influence young people causing a significant concern, within society.
Crimes against women in Jammu and Kashmir recorded an increase of 23.62% in 2023 compared to the preceding year, with more than 7,000 people being arrested, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) said in its latest report.
“However, the conviction rate remained low as only 95 people were awarded sentences, while cases under investigation touched 6,275 by the end of last year. These include 2,829 cases pending investigation from 2020 and nine cases that reopened for investigation,” the report said.
It said crimes against women marked a steady rise from 2020 to 2023, with the highest 3,937 such cases reported in 2021 against 3,405 cases in 2020. In 2019, there were 3,069 such cases.
Recognising the urgency of addressing cybercrime, both the government and the law enforcement agencies in Kashmir have taken steps to combat this threat and these measures include:-
Special units dedicated to investigating and combating cybercrime have been set up in Kashmir. These units handle cases concerning hacking, online fraud, and other digital offences. Also, public awareness campaigns have been initiated to educate citizens about the risks associated with cybercrime and ways to protect themselves online.
Both government agencies and businesses are investing in cyber security measures to protect sensitive data and critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks. The aim of these efforts is to enhance the overall security and resilience of Kashmir’s digital land scape .
Despite these efforts made by government, several challenges persist.

Limited Resources

Kashmiri’s limited resources and infrastructure can hamper comprehensive cyber security efforts. Addressing funding and technology gapes is essential to fortify defences.

Cross Border Nature

Many cyber crimes have border aspects, which necessities international cooperation when it comes to invitations and prosecution. Hence, it’s of prime important to collaborate with neighbouring countries and international agencies.

Privacy Concerns

Achieving a balance between privacy and security is a concern because there is a need to ensure online behaviour while also respecting individuals rights to digital privacy.
The NCRB report of 2021 ‘Crime in India ,154 cases of cyber crimes were reported in the police stations in 2021 witnessing an increase of 28.33 percent as in comparison of the previous year. The cyber related cases from J&K was of record of 120 cases of cyber crimes in 2020 and 73 in 2019.
The report reveals that the cybercrime rate has increased around 110 percent during the last two years from 2019 to 2021 in J&K.
The NCRB data has further revealed that 39 cybercrimes were committed against women and four against children.
Cybercrime statistics show that a minimum of 422 million individuals were impacted, according to the FBI’s internet crime records with 800,944 complaints registered in 2022. Nearly 33 billion accounts will be breached in 2023 with the cost of these breaches predicted at $ 8 trillion.
The cost of cybercrimes is projected to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025 from $6 trillion in 2022. It is said that 80% of reported cybercrimes are generally attributed to phishing attacks.
India saw a significant jump in cybercrimes reported in 2022 from the previous year. That year, over 52 thousand cybercrime incidents were registered. Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh accounted for the highest share during the measured time period.
An average of 1,500 cybercrime instances are reported every day, but only about 30 are processed into FIRs. Between January 1, 2020 and December 7, 2022, more than 16 lakh cybercrime events were recorded and more than 32,000 FIRs were filed, according to official data.
Despite these efforts, the national conviction rate for cybercrime cases remains terrible at less than 1%. According to the figures given in the Lok Sabha, 52,974 incidences of cybercrime were reported across the country in 2021. In only 35% or 18,744 cases a chargesheet was filed, while the number of convicted cases was less than 1% at 491 cases.
The situation of those arrested for cybercrimes remains the same. In 2021, there were 27,374 arrests. Over 93% of these 25,512 people were charge-sheeted. However, according to data provided by the minister, less than 3%, or 736 individuals, of those arrested were convicted.
Cyber police stations across the country reported a total of 94,770 instances in 2019 and 2020. Only 23,363 of the total number of cases registered had chargesheets filed. The number of successful prosecutions – 126 should come as no surprise.

Legal Consequences of Cybercrime in Kashmir

In todays constantly changing technology world, law enforcement agencies worldwide have been faced with unique challenges presented by increasing prevalence of cybercrime. Even in Kashmir known for its breath-taking scenery and intricate socio-political background, the threat of cybercrime is no exception .
Laws governing cybercrime in Kashmir are primarily based on legislations. Since the region is governed by laws some important laws in this regard include.

Information Technology Act, 2000

This Act establishes framework to tackle cybercrimes in India including Kashmir. It covers offences like hacking, online fraud, identity theft and specific punishments for those found guilty.
In India the issue of data privacy has sparked heated debates , particularly following the supreme Court’s recognition of the right to privacy as the fundamental right in case of KS. Puttasawamy v. Union of India
Justice Kaul in declaring the right to privacy as a fundamental right under part lll of the Constitution , emphasized that it should be unequivocally embedded in the Constitution of India . However, this right is not absolute. According to section 6(2) of the Information technology Act, 2000, the central of the state government along with other competent authorities , have the power to direct the government agencies to monitor, intercept or decrypt information transmitted through internet resources. This power is justified on grounds such as safeguarding national security, preserving sovereignty and integrity of India, maintaining friendly relations with foreign States, upholding public order, preventing incitement of crime, and facilitating criminal investigations.

Indian Penal Code, 1860

The Indian penal code contains certain provisions that pertains to various forms of cybercrime. For instance section 66(c) deals with fraudulent act of assuming someone else’s identity, online known as identity theft. Section 66(e) specifically targets the breach of privacy by encompassing activities such as capturing, transmitting or publishing private images without consent . These examples represent only a fraction of various sections within IPC that encompass different cybercrime.
In Kashmir like in the rest of the India authorities are dedicated to taking measures against cyber criminals and if found guilty of cybercrime individuals can face a range of consequences including

Imprisonment and Fines

Depending upon the severity of cybercrime committed, offenders may be sentenced to imprisonment for varying durations e.g offender invites imprisonment of either description of 3 years and/or fine upto 1 lakh in case of identity theft similarly violation of privacy invite imprisonment upto 3 years and/or fine upto 2 lakhs and cyber Terrorists invite imprisonment for life, imprisonment upto 2 years and/fine upto 1 lakh in case of publication for fraudulent purpose. In case of publishing or transmitting of material depicting children in sexually explicit act etc in electronic form. Invite on first Conviction imprisonment of either description upto 5 years and/or fine upto 10 lakhs , on subsequent conviction imprisonment of either description upto 7 years and/or fine upto 10 lakh.

Restitution

When it comes to online fraud or financial crimes, courts may order offenders to compensate victims for their loses.
Cybercrime is a serious problem that we need to address. It’s alarming how easily people can fall victim to online scams, hacking, and identity theft. We should all be cautious and take steps to protect ourselves, such as using strong passwords, being mindful of what we share online, and staying updated on the latest security measures. It’s also important for law enforcement to stay ahead of cybercriminals and for governments to enact stricter laws to deter cybercrime. Together, we can make the internet a safer place for everyone. I believe cybercrime poses a psychological impact on mental health. The covid19 pandemic has made individuals susceptible in various aspects of their lives. In order to navigate this crisis, people have increasingly relied on e-usage, both in their personal and professional lives. How ever, this heightened exposer to scammers and false information has had a detrimental effect on mental wellbeing and has become a significant impediment to carrying out daily responsibility. Consequently victims face emotional physical and financial distress . Many people are also experiencing anxiety and depression. Trusting others online has become increasingly difficult. Feeling of helplessness give rise to frustration and anger ..
To sum up cybercrime in Kashmir is a problem that requires vigilance and adaptability. Despite the challenges its clear that the region is committed to tackling this issue by siting up units conducting people awareness campaigns and investing in cyber security measures.
One can only imagine the plight of victims of even graver cybercrimes. Cybercrime needs to be taken more seriously and complaints need to be pursued actively.

Email:--------------------mirtajamulislam2@gmail.com / bashikhannn22@gmail.com