#StayAwareStaySafe Archives - Akancha Srivastava Foundation

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ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’

The Akancha Srivastava Foundation is India’s leading social impact initiative dedicated to advancing cyber safety awareness and education. Established in February 2017, this not-for-profit Section 8 organization is a trusted voice in promoting safe online practices across the nation.

Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:

Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police, Emeritus)
Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)

Our Mission

The Foundation is committed to educating, empowering, and building bridges between the public and authorities on critical cyber safety issues. Additionally, we specialize in forensics training for law enforcement, equipping them with the skills needed to tackle cybercrime effectively.

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Gaming Chats Can Trap Children!

Akancha Srivastava — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 05:31:33 +0000

Children are not just playing games online anymore.

They are chatting, joining teams, entering private groups, making “gaming friends”, sharing voice notes, exchanging IDs, and sometimes trusting complete strangers more than they should.

This is where parents need to pay attention.

A child may think they are only talking about the game. Slowly, the conversation can move to their name, age, school, class, location, daily routine, family details, photos, social media handles, phone number, or emotional problems. Many children do not understand that even a friendly player can still be a stranger.

The danger is not always obvious in the beginning. Unsafe conversations often start with praise, attention, free gaming rewards, emotional support, private jokes, secret chats, or requests to move from the game to WhatsApp, Instagram, Discord, Telegram, or video calls.

A stranger may say, “Don’t tell your parents, they won’t understand.” That one line itself is a warning sign.

Parents must stop looking only at screen time. The bigger issue is who the child is speaking to, what information is being shared, and whether the child is being pulled into private conversations outside the game.

Children must be clearly told never to share their school name, home address, phone number, photos, passwords, family details, travel plans, live location, or personal worries with gaming contacts.

They must also know that free coins, skins, rewards, tournament links, friendship requests, private chats, and emotional pressure can all be used to manipulate them.

Safety steps for parents:

Keep gaming accounts private.

Turn off open chat where possible.

Check friend lists regularly.

Teach children to use nicknames instead of real names.

Do not allow movement from game chats to private messaging apps.

Watch for secrecy, sudden emotional attachment, late-night chatting, or anger when asked about gaming friends.

Tell children they will never be punished for reporting an uncomfortable message.

Save screenshots if something goes wrong.

Block and report unsafe accounts immediately.

Gaming should be fun, competitive, and creative. It should never become a secret doorway for strangers to enter a child’s private life.

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Stay Aware, Stay Safe.

Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.

Verified news links:

The Guardian, Roblox grooming case, April 2026
A man was jailed for grooming a 14-year-old girl he met on Roblox.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/apr/09/man-who-groomed-14-year-old-girl-he-met-on-roblox-jailed-for-28-months
Reuters, Roblox child-safety changes, April 2026
Roblox announced age-based accounts for young users amid global scrutiny over child safety.
https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/roblox-introduce-age-based-accounts-child-safety-push-2026-04-13/
Gulf News, Abu Dhabi Police warning, August 2025
Abu Dhabi Police warned parents about cybercriminals targeting child gamers through gifts and rewards.
https://gulfnews.com/world/court-crime/abu-dhabi-police-warn-of-cybercrimes-targeting-child-gamers-1.500237999

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

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ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’

Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:

Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police, Emeritus)
Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)

Our Mission

The post Gaming Chats Can Trap Children! appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Beware Fake Consumer Complaint Websites!

Akancha Srivastava — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 06:15:03 +0000

How often have you Googled for a help online?

When a refund is delayed, a product is defective, a parcel is not delivered, a bank transaction fails, or a company does not respond, most people quickly search online for help.

They type words like “consumer complaint number”, “refund complaint”, “customer care number”, “file complaint online”, “consumer helpline”, “bank complaint support”, or “delivery refund help”.

That is exactly where many users get trapped.

Scammers create fake consumer complaint websites, fake customer-care pages, fake grievance forms, and fake helpline numbers that look official. These pages may use government-style language, company names, logos, forms, complaint IDs, WhatsApp buttons, refund options, or “support executive” numbers to look genuine.

The user believes they are filing a complaint. In reality, they may be sharing their name, phone number, address, order details, bank information, card details, UPI ID, OTP, screenshots, or device access with a fraudster.

This fraud works because the victim is already frustrated and wants quick help. A fake support person may call and say, “Your refund is approved”, “Please verify your account”, “Share the OTP”, “Install this app”, “Open your banking app”, “Scan this QR code”, or “Pay a small processing fee”.

Please remember this clearly: a genuine refund does not require your OTP, UPI PIN, banking password, card PIN, full card details, screen-sharing access, or remote-control app access.

Do not trust a website only because it appears on Google search. Do not call random customer-care numbers found online. Do not click complaint links sent through WhatsApp, SMS, Telegram, email, or social media. Do not install apps suggested by a so-called support executive.

Always use the official company website, official app, verified customer-care number, invoice, bank card, product packaging, or official email domain. Type the website yourself. Check the URL carefully. Avoid pages with spelling mistakes, strange domains, pressure language, and urgent payment instructions.

For parents and senior citizens, this is especially important. Many frauds happen because someone is trying to solve a small problem quickly: a refund, a missed delivery, a wrong product, a failed recharge, a hotel booking issue, an airline refund, or a bank complaint.

If money has been lost, call 1930 immediately. Contact your bank. Request transaction blocking or freezing. Preserve screenshots. Save the website link, phone number, WhatsApp chat, payment receipt, UPI ID, bank account details, email, complaint ID, and transaction reference number. File a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in.

A real complaint should help you recover your money. It should never give criminals access to your phone, bank account, or personal data.

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Stay Aware, Stay Safe.

Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

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ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’

Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:

Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police,Emeritus)
Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)

Our Mission

The post Beware Fake Consumer Complaint Websites! appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Being Love Bombed Online?

Akancha Srivastava — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:43:36 +0000

Romance fraud rarely starts with money.

It usually starts with attention, affection, daily messages, emotional support, compliments, future promises, and the feeling that someone finally understands you.

That is what makes it dangerous.

A person may meet someone through Instagram, Facebook, dating apps, matrimonial platforms, gaming communities, professional networks, or even WhatsApp groups. The conversation feels warm and personal. They may say the right things, remember small details, check on you every day, and create emotional closeness very quickly.

Then the pressure begins.

They may say they are stuck in an emergency. They may claim their bank account is blocked. They may ask for help with medical bills, travel, customs clearance, business trouble, family crisis, visa issues, or a sudden legal problem. Sometimes they do not ask for money immediately. They first build trust, isolate the victim emotionally, and make the relationship feel private.

This is emotional grooming.

The warning signs are clear. They avoid video calls. They rush emotional commitment. They ask you to keep the relationship secret. They create urgency. They make you feel guilty for asking questions. They send dramatic stories that cannot be verified. They ask for money, private photos, documents, passwords, OTPs, investments, crypto transfers, gift cards, or access to your accounts.

Please remember this clearly: love does not demand secrecy, money, panic payments, or proof through private pictures.

Do not send money to someone you have never met and properly verified. Do not share intimate photos, identity documents, financial details, passwords, OTPs, or private family information. Do not accept investment advice from someone who is emotionally involved with you online. Do not move financial conversations to private channels where there is no accountability.

If you feel trapped, preserve every message, profile link, phone number, bank detail, UPI ID, transaction record, photo, and call log. Do not delete evidence out of shame. Report the account, inform your bank immediately if money has been sent, and file a cybercrime complaint.

Victims must not be blamed. These scams work because they exploit loneliness, trust, hope, grief, and emotional vulnerability. The solution is awareness, verification, and early reporting.

Before you trust an online relationship, pause and ask one question: is this person building love, or building control?

Stay Aware, Stay Safe.

Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

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ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’

Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:

Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police)
Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)

Our Mission

The post Being Love Bombed Online? appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Evidence Before You Report!

Akancha Srivastava — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 06:36:36 +0000

When something goes wrong online, most people panic first.

They delete chats, block accounts, remove posts, clear call logs, or erase payment messages because they feel scared, ashamed, angry, or overwhelmed.

That is the biggest mistake.

In any cybercrime case, evidence matters. Screenshots, links, phone numbers, usernames, payment receipts, emails, transaction IDs, call logs, chat history, profile URLs, QR codes, UPI IDs, bank details, and timestamps can help establish what happened, who contacted you, how the fraud happened, and where the money or abuse originated.

Do not delete anything in panic.

If someone has cheated you, impersonated you, misused your photo, pressured your child, sent abusive messages, shared a fake payment link, or trapped you through a scam, preserve the evidence immediately.

Take screenshots clearly. Capture the full screen, not only one message. Save the profile link. Save the phone number. Save the username. Save the date and time. Save the payment receipt. Save bank transaction details. Save email headers where possible. Record the platform name. Keep the original chat thread intact.

For financial fraud, time is critical. Call 1930 immediately and report on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. The official portal lists 1930 as India’s Cyber Crime Helpline. Quick reporting improves the chance of blocking or tracing fraudulent transactions.

For children’s safety cases, parents must first protect the child emotionally. Do not shout, blame, shame, or force the child to delete everything. Preserve evidence, block after saving proof, report the account on the platform, inform the school where relevant, and file a cybercrime complaint where needed.

For social media cases, save the fake profile link, screenshots of posts, messages, comments, bio, display picture, follower activity, and any account that appears connected. Ask trusted people to report the fake account too, but preserve evidence first.

For payment fraud, call 1930 immediately, contact your bank, request transaction blocking or freezing, save the complaint number, and file the full report on cybercrime.gov.in. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal is meant for cybercrime complaints, including crimes against women and children.

Evidence is not only for police. It also helps banks, schools, platforms, employers, and families understand the seriousness of the issue.

When you preserve evidence properly, you give banks, platforms, schools, and law enforcement the material needed to act faster and more effectively.

Stay Aware, Stay Safe.

Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

Facebook:

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ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’

Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:

Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police)
Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)

Our Mission

The post Evidence Before You Report! appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Children And Sharing Private Photo Risks!

Akancha Srivastava — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:20:02 +0000

Private photo misuse often begins with trust.

Someone asks for a picture, a video, a personal moment, or a private conversation screenshot. At that time, it may feel safe because the person sounds close, loving, familiar, or harmless.

That is where the risk begins.

A private photo shared in confidence can be saved, forwarded, edited, circulated, or used to create pressure later. Sometimes the person misusing it is an online stranger. Sometimes it is an ex-partner, classmate, friend, colleague, or someone pretending to be emotionally close.

The pressure can start slowly. They may say, “Send one more picture.” “Talk to me or I will show this to others.” “Do not block me.” “Do not tell anyone.” “I will ruin your image.” These lines are meant to create fear, shame, and silence.

Please remember this clearly: the person misusing your private photo is responsible for the abuse. Shame belongs to the offender, not the victim.

Children and teenagers are especially vulnerable because they may panic, hide the issue from parents, delete evidence, or keep obeying demands out of fear. Parents must create enough trust at home so children can report such situations without fear of punishment.

Do not send private photos to strangers, online friends, gaming contacts, romantic interests, fake profiles, or anyone applying emotional pressure. Do not share personal pictures in exchange for love, attention, validation, gifts, followers, or promises.

If someone is threatening you with a private photo, do not panic. Do not send more photos. Do not pay money. Do not delete chats. Do not keep negotiating.

Take screenshots. Save profile links, phone numbers, usernames, messages, payment demands, email IDs, and call logs. Block only after preserving evidence. Report the account on the platform. Inform a trusted person immediately. File a cybercrime complaint through the official reporting channel.

Important: Even if a child or teenager shared a private photo with consent, that consent was only for the person who received it. It does not give anyone permission to save, forward, upload, circulate, edit, threaten, or electronically distribute that image. In India, publishing or transmitting private images without consent can attract legal action .

Key legal provisions include:

Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (Violation of Privacy):Capturing, publishing, or transmitting a person’s private images without their consent is punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to ₹2 lakh.
Section 67 & 67A of the IT Act (Obscene/Explicit Content):Publishing or transmitting obscene material electronically can lead to 3–5 years in jail and fines ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh, depending on the nature of the content.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023(BNS) & IPC: Sharing intimate content without permission can invoke charges related to voyeurism and criminal harassment, with punishments including jail time. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key Points to Note:

Consent is Key:Even if a photo was originally shared willingly with a person, distributing it further without consent is illegal.
Definition of Private:This applies to any image where the person has an expectation of privacy, including private moments, chats, or images shared in trust.

For parents, the response matters. Do not shout, blame, or shame the child. First protect the child, preserve evidence, and report. A scared child needs safety before discipline.

Private images can create serious emotional distress, but silence gives abusers more control. Early reporting protects the victim and stops further misuse.

Before sharing any personal picture online, ask one question: can this harm me if it is saved, forwarded, or used against me later?

Stay Aware, Stay Safe.

Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

Facebook:

LinkedIn:

ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’

Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:

Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police)
Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)

Our Mission

The post Children And Sharing Private Photo Risks! appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Fake School Fee Link?

Akancha Srivastava — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 06:00:56 +0000

Parents are used to receiving school updates on WhatsApp, email, SMS, portals, and parent groups.

Fee reminders, circulars, transport notices, event payments, exam charges, book payments, uniform payments, and activity fees often come digitally now.

This convenience is exactly what scammers misuse.

A fake school fee message may look normal at first. It may carry the school name, logo, payment deadline, child’s class, fee amount, or a link that looks official. It may create urgency by saying “pay today”, “last date”, “late fee applies”, “seat may be blocked”, “transport service will stop”, or “exam form will not be processed.”

Many parents click because they are busy, worried, or trying to avoid delay. One wrong link can lead to payment fraud, credential theft, card misuse, UPI redirection, or account compromise.

Please remember this clearly: a school payment link received on WhatsApp or SMS must never be trusted automatically.

Parents must verify every payment request through the official school app, official website, school fee portal, or known school office number. Do not pay through random links shared in groups. Do not scan QR codes sent by unknown numbers. Do not enter card details, UPI PIN, OTP, net banking password, or parent portal credentials on unfamiliar pages.

Scammers may also impersonate school staff, class teachers, transport coordinators, accounts departments, PTA members, or other parents. They may create fake urgency around admissions, pending dues, transport fees, exam registration, school trips, or activity payments.

Before making any school-related payment, check the sender’s number, email domain, spelling, payment gateway, URL, and official fee record. Call the school office directly using the number saved from official records. Do not call numbers mentioned inside suspicious messages.

Parents should also speak to children. Children must not forward fee links, payment requests, QR codes, class group messages, or school notices without checking with parents. Older children using phones must understand that school-related messages can also be used for fraud.

If money has been paid through a fake link, immediately call 1930, contact your bank, freeze the transaction where possible, preserve screenshots, save the sender number, link, payment receipt, UPI ID, bank details, and file a cybercrime complaint.

A school message may look familiar, but familiarity is not verification. Before paying, pause and confirm through official school channels.

Stay Aware, Stay Safe.

Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

Facebook:

LinkedIn:

ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’

Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:

Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police)
Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)

Our Mission

The post Fake School Fee Link? appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Instagram DMs Are Not Encrypted! #ASF

Akancha Srivastava — Wed, 27 May 2026 07:40:40 +0000

Did you know that Instagram has ended its encryption of the DMS?

News link for reference: Meta Help Center confirms that end-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram is no longer supported from May 8, 2026. Khaleej Times also reported that Instagram has removed end-to-end encryption for direct messaging. – https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/tech/meta-instagram-end-to-end-encryption-removed

Most of us treat private messages as safe spaces. We send photos, documents, addresses, school details, personal updates, emotional conversations, financial information, travel plans, screenshots, and sometimes even voice notes without thinking twice.

But Instagram has discontinued end-to-end encrypted messaging for Direct Messages from May 8, 2026. This means users must become far more careful about what they share inside Instagram DMs. A private chat is not automatically a protected space. Meta’s Help Center confirms that end-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram is no longer supported from this date.

This matters because misuse does not always begin with hacking. Sometimes it begins with oversharing. A private photo can be saved. A personal document can be forwarded. A sensitive conversation can be screenshotted. A child can be manipulated into moving from comments to DMs. An account can be compromised, and years of personal messages can suddenly become a risk.

For children and teenagers, this risk is even higher. Many of them do not understand the difference between a public comment, a private message, a disappearing message, and a truly secure conversation. They may trust a gaming friend, a fan page, a classmate, an unknown follower, or someone pretending to be their age. One careless message can expose their identity, location, school, daily routine, family details, or private pictures.

Adults are also vulnerable. Many people send copies of IDs, bank details, business information, confidential screenshots, personal disputes, medical documents, and emotional conversations on social media DMs because it feels quick and convenient. Convenience cannot be the standard for digital safety. Sensitive information must never be shared casually just because a chat window feels familiar.

Please do not share Aadhaar, PAN, passport details, bank information, passwords, OTPs, school IDs, home addresses, travel plans, private photos, or deeply personal conversations through Instagram DMs.

Parents must explain this clearly to children. Private messaging is not a place for secrets with strangers. It is not a place to send personal pictures. It is not a place to continue conversations with unknown profiles, gaming friends, fake fan pages, or accounts that create emotional pressure.

Go through your old chats. Delete sensitive information where possible. Turn on two-factor authentication. Use strong passwords. Check login alerts. Teach children to take screenshots and report immediately if someone makes them uncomfortable.

Every digital space demands caution. Before you send anything online, ask yourself one simple question: can this harm me or my child if it is saved, forwarded, or exposed?

Stay Aware, Stay Safe!
Jai Hind!

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

Facebook:

LinkedIn:

ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’

Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:

Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police)
Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)

Our Mission

The post Instagram DMs Are Not Encrypted! #ASF appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Nine Years of the Akancha Srivastava Foundation

Akancha Srivastava — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:32:08 +0000

A Journey of Trust, Service, and Cyber Safety

Nine years ago, the Akancha Srivastava Foundation began with a clear purpose: to make cyber safety education accessible, practical, and people-focused. What started as a mission to create awareness has grown into one of India’s largest social impact initiatives dedicated to cyber safety, prevention, victim support, and responsible digital behaviour.

This journey has been built with people, for people, and because of people.

Over the past nine years, we have travelled across India, worked with schools, colleges, parents, students, communities, government institutions, law enforcement agencies, doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, educators, and citizens from different walks of life. Every workshop, every conversation, every call for help, and every moment of trust has shaped the work of the Foundation.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the victims and families who trusted us during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Many came to us with fear, confusion, shame, trauma, financial loss, online abuse, blackmail, harassment, identity misuse, fraud, and deep emotional distress. They believed that we would listen without judgment, guide them responsibly, and help them understand what could be done next. Their courage strengthened our resolve. Their trust reminded us why prevention, early reporting, evidence preservation, and compassionate victim support must remain central to cyber safety.

We thank every child who raised a hand during a workshop and asked a question that many adults were afraid to ask. We thank every parent who stayed back after a session to discuss a concern about their child’s online life. We thank every teacher who understood that cyber safety is now part of student wellbeing. We also carry with deep gratitude the love we have received from children, educators, and elderly citizens across India. Their warmth, trust, questions, and blessings have made this journey deeply meaningful for us.

We are deeply grateful to the Indian Police across states who welcomed us with openness, respect, and a shared commitment to public safety. Their willingness to engage, exchange knowledge, invite us to their regions, and collaborate on cybercrime prevention gave us a rare and powerful understanding of India’s digital realities. Through these engagements, we saw the diversity of India up close: different languages, different social contexts, different crime patterns, different vulnerabilities, and different levels of digital exposure. Each region taught us something valuable. Each interaction made our work sharper, more grounded, and more useful.

Our work with police personnel, IPS officers, enforcement teams, and institutions has been one of the strongest pillars of this journey. We have had the privilege of sharing knowledge, learning from field realities, understanding emerging crime patterns, and contributing to a prevention-led approach to cyber safety. These experiences helped us grow from an awareness initiative into a structured public safety movement.

The Akancha Srivastava Foundation has conducted more than 2,000 workshops, reached more than 515 million people digitally, collaborated with over 100 IPS officers, worked across 42 cities, and built an AI-enabled cyber safety chat helpline to support citizens seeking guidance. This support has now moved to email. These numbers matter because each number represents a person, a family, a school, a workplace, a police team, or a community that chose to engage with cyber safety before harm became irreversible.

Cybercrime has changed dramatically over the last nine years. Online abuse, grooming, financial fraud, impersonation, cyberbullying, sextortion, identity theft, misinformation, image misuse, screen-sharing scams, OTP fraud, gaming-related exploitation, and social engineering have become part of everyday digital risk. Technology has become deeply embedded in how people study, work, bank, communicate, build relationships, and access services. This makes cyber safety a public safety discipline, a life skill, and an institutional responsibility.

The Foundation’s approach has always been rooted in prevention. We believe people must be equipped before they are harmed. Children must understand boundaries, privacy, reporting, and safe online behaviour early. Parents must know how to respond without panic or blame. Teachers must be able to identify red flags. Organizations must train employees against social engineering and digital fraud. Citizens must know how to preserve evidence, report incidents, and seek timely help.

We are also grateful to the organizations that invited us into their ecosystems and recognised the value of cyber safety as a core institutional priority. Their praise for our work in strengthening employee awareness, reporting discipline, fraud prevention, and internal preparedness has reinforced our belief that cyber safety is now essential to organizational resilience and trust.

Our journey has also been shaped by the belief that cyber safety cannot remain restricted to technical experts. It must reach classrooms, homes, police stations, workplaces, communities, and public platforms. It must be explained in language people understand. It must be practical, accessible, and rooted in real cases. It must respect the emotional burden carried by victims. It must help people act with clarity.

Over nine years, we have learned that awareness is strongest when it is delivered with empathy and responsibility. A victim of cybercrime needs guidance, not blame. A child facing online abuse needs safety, not shame. A parent facing digital confusion needs clarity, not fear. A police team handling complex cyber complaints needs continuous knowledge exchange. An organization facing digital risk needs behavioural preparedness, not superficial compliance.

We thank our advisors, mentors, partners, volunteers, educators, doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, government agencies, students, parents, institutions, and every supporter who helped us build this movement. We thank everyone who opened doors for us, invited us to speak, connected us with communities, shared our resources, amplified our campaigns, and believed that cyber safety deserves urgent national attention.

Nine years have given us scale, experience, credibility, and responsibility. They have also given us humility. India’s digital landscape is vast, complex, and constantly evolving. Every new platform, every new fraud pattern, every new form of online harm reminds us that our work must continue with discipline, compassion, and focus.

As we complete nine years of the Akancha Srivastava Foundation, we carry forward the same purpose with deeper conviction. We remain committed to protecting children, supporting victims, strengthening institutions, working with law enforcement, empowering citizens, and making cyber safety a culture of prevention.

Thank you for being part of our journey.

Thank you for trusting us.

Thank you for helping us build a safer digital world.

Stay Aware, Stay Safe. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat

The post Nine Years of the Akancha Srivastava Foundation appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Credit Card Scams Exposed!

Akancha Srivastava — Thu, 15 May 2025 05:35:17 +0000

Credit Card Scams Exposed!

Credit Card Application Scams: How Scammers Are Draining Your Money

Did you know that people are losing money while applying for credit cards? Scammers have found a new way to exploit your financial needs, and today, I’m breaking it all down for you.

How This Scam Works:

🔹 Fake Credit Card Application Scams
Scammers pose as bank representatives or agents, offering exclusive, high-limit, or pre-approved credit cards. They reach out via calls, emails, or even social media ads, making their offer sound too good to refuse.

🔹 Upfront Payment Fraud
Victims are asked to pay processing fees, verification charges, or security deposits to “fast-track” approval. Once you make the payment, the scammer vanishes—no card, no refund, nothing!

🔹 Phishing & Data Theft
Fraudsters set up fake bank websites that look just like real bank portals to steal your personal details, banking credentials, and OTPs. Before you know it, they’ve taken loans in your name or made unauthorized transactions.

🔹 Misuse of KYC Documents
If you submit Aadhaar, PAN, or other documents, scammers may use them to open fraudulent bank accounts, apply for loans, or even commit financial crimes, leaving you to deal with the consequences.

How to Protect Yourself:

✔ Never pay upfront fees—legitimate banks do not charge for credit card approvals.
✔ Verify directly with the bank—if someone calls, always cross-check with official channels.
✔ Check the official website—look for secure “https” links and verify the domain name.
✔ Never share OTPs, passwords, or personal details over calls or emails.

✔ Never trust an overeager telecaller offering you a ‘too good to be true’ card—legit banks don’t push sales aggressively.
✔ Report fraud immediately to your bank and cybercrime authorities.

🚨 Scammers are preying on people’s financial needs. Don’t fall for it!

✔ Report fraud immediately to your bank and cybercrime authorities.

🚨 Scammers are preying on people’s financial needs. Don’t fall for it!

💬 Have you or someone you know encountered such fraud?
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Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!

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