Renowned singer and composer A.R. Rahman has shared a cyber-safety message at the request of Sukma Police, urging people to remain cautious while using digital services and avoid falling victim to online fraud.

In a video message, Rahman advised people to be careful with unfamiliar links, calls and messages and to verify information before taking any action online. He also stressed the need for caution while carrying out digital transactions.

The message has been released as part of the Cyber Jagriti Abhiyan, a statewide awareness campaign being conducted by the Chhattisgarh Police from August 15 to October 2, 2026. The campaign focuses on educating citizens about cybercrime, online fraud and safer digital practices. 

A.R. Rahman’s Cyber Safety Appeal

Sukma Police said Rahman’s message is intended to take the cyber-safety campaign to a wider audience through a familiar public figure.

The central message is to avoid acting in haste when receiving an unfamiliar communication online. People have been advised not to click on suspicious links or trust unknown calls and messages without verification.

The campaign comes amid continued efforts by police departments across Chhattisgarh to educate citizens about different forms of online fraud, including phishing, fraudulent calls, UPI-related scams and other digital deception. 

Cyber Jagriti Abhiyan Runs Till October 2

The statewide Cyber Jagriti Abhiyan began on August 15 and is scheduled to continue until Gandhi Jayanti on October 2.

According to reports on the campaign, Chhattisgarh Police is using schools, colleges, banks, community groups, local institutions and social media platforms to spread cyber-safety information. Citizens are also being encouraged to participate in awareness activities and promote safe digital practices. 

Sukma Police has been conducting district-level awareness activities as part of the wider campaign. A recent local programme in the Tongpal area, for example, focused on avoiding suspicious links and applications and informing people about the cybercrime helpline 1930. 

Do Not Share OTP, PIN or Passwords

Police have advised citizens not to share OTP, PIN, passwords or confidential banking information with unknown persons.

People have also been asked to verify suspicious calls, messages and links before responding. The same caution applies to online payments, where fraudsters may attempt to obtain sensitive information by posing as bank officials, service providers or other trusted entities.

What to Do If You Lose Money Online

Sukma Police has urged anyone who becomes a victim of cyber fraud to report the incident immediately.

Citizens can contact the national cybercrime helpline 1930 and report cybercrime to the authorities without delay. Quick reporting can be important in cases involving fraudulent financial transactions.

The campaign’s broader message is aimed at encouraging citizens to adopt safer digital habits rather than reacting only after a cybercrime has occurred.

Police Push for Safer Digital Behaviour

The participation of A.R. Rahman adds a public-awareness component to Sukma Police’s ongoing cyber-safety efforts. Police officials believe messages delivered through widely recognised public figures can help take basic cyber-security precautions to a larger audience.

For citizens, the key precautions remain straightforward: do not click unknown links, do not share confidential banking information, verify unexpected communications and report suspected cyber fraud immediately.

Cyber Fraud in Raipur: Three Residents Duped of ₹8 Lakh in Separate Incidents

Raipur cyber fraud cases continue to rise as miscreants target residents through sophisticated phishing, mobile hacking, and fake insurance updates.

Raipur: In a series of alarming incidents, cyber criminals have swindled approximately ₹8 lakh from three separate individuals in the capital city. Using a mix of predatory loan traps, credit card fraud, and fake consumer court threats, the perpetrators managed to siphon off money before the victims could realize they were being scammed. Local police have registered separate FIRs, and specialized teams are currently tracking the digital footprints of the fraudsters.

The Loan App Blackmail Trap

The most severe case was reported from the Tikrapara area, involving a private sector employee, Vishal Gupta. On March 10, 2026, Gupta had applied for a modest online loan of ₹10,000. Instead of processing a legitimate loan, the suspects informed him that a higher amount—₹40,000—had been approved.

Under the guise of the application process, the fraudsters gained remote access to Gupta’s mobile device. They allegedly accessed his personal gallery, morphed his private photos into obscene content, and then used this to extort money. Sources indicate that the victim was coerced into transferring nearly ₹6 lakh under the constant threat of having his reputation destroyed on social media.

Army Personnel Targeted

In a separate incident under the Saraswati Nagar police station limits, a serving Army Subedar, Harishchandra Singh, fell prey to a phishing scam. On April 17, he received a phone call from an individual claiming to be a representative from Axis Bank.

The caller offered to help him redeem accumulated reward points on his credit card. The perpetrator guided the Subedar to a fraudulent website and requested his card credentials. Shortly after entering the details, Singh received alerts of unauthorized transactions totaling ₹1,99,996. Realizing the deception, he promptly contacted the bank’s customer care and registered a complaint via the 1930 national cybercrime helpline.

Fake Insurance Claims

The third case involves a fruit trader, Jaykumar Wadhwani, a resident of Amlidih, who was targeted through a convoluted insurance scheme. The suspects contacted Wadhwani, claiming his ICICI Prudential life insurance policy was facing losses and required urgent intervention.

The callers created a false sense of panic by mentioning fictitious legal actions in a "Consumer Court." They then sent a malicious link under the pretext of providing a "freezing code" to secure his policy. Once Wadhwani clicked the link, the suspects gained access to his banking information and withdrew ₹55,000 from his account.

Police Urge Public Caution

Raipur police officials have reiterated their warning regarding unsolicited calls and suspicious links. Investigators noted that these gangs often operate from outside the state, making recovery difficult.

"People must remain vigilant against 'urgent' calls regarding bank details or insurance updates. Never click on unverified links or share OTPs," said an officer familiar with the ongoing investigations. As of now, authorities are analyzing the bank accounts where the stolen funds were transferred, hoping to trace the perpetrators behind this wave of Raipur cyber fraud.