Event Report: Expert Session on “Cyber Crime” by Dr. Sankalp Rai , Sub-Inspector, Durg
Event: Expert session on cyber crime
Date: 27th June 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Platform: Google Meet
Objective of the Event: The main objective of this expert talk was to raise awareness among students about various forms of cybercrime, prevention strategies, and the role of law enforcement agencies.
Guest Speaker: Dr. Sankalp Rai, Sub-Inspector at the Range Cyber Crime Unit, Bhilai-Durg (Chhattisgarh).
Number of Participants: Approximately 40.
Event Hosts: Siya Gusain and Hansika Namdeo
Summary of the Event
The Cyber Crime Awareness Expert Talk was organized to educate participants about the increasing threats in the digital world and the importance of staying vigilant online. The session began by highlighting several real-life cybercrime cases, such as honey trap and sextortion incidents, where individuals were lured into inappropriate conversations or relationships and later blackmailed. Another case discussed was related to theft by demand, where scammers deceived victims by making false promises in exchange for money. A particularly serious case shared involved a person being digitally arrested for 52 days and extorted for ₹56 lakh by fake officials pretending to be law enforcement officers. Attendees were advised to verify any such suspicious call with local police or immediately call the national cybercrime helpline number 1930.
Participants were given essential tips on maintaining strong cyber hygiene. These included creating strong passwords using a combination of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Emphasis was placed on enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), which adds an extra layer of security through biometrics, OTPs, or secondary devices. Participants were warned against clicking unknown links, downloading unfamiliar applications, or answering suspicious calls, as these are common tactics used by cybercriminals to access personal information.
Several important cybersecurity tools and websites were introduced. For cyber fraud complaints, the official government portal cybercrime.gov.in was recommended. To check if an email has been compromised, participants were advised to use haveibeenpwned.com, while virustotal.com was suggested for malware scanning. Metapic.com was recommended for verifying digital information, and bitwarden.com for managing and checking passwords securely. Tools like Insight help detect dark web activity, Autopsy is useful for disk imaging during forensic analysis, and md5.com is a tool for hash verification. Special mention was made of the NCII tool on the cybercrime portal to prevent the circulation of intimate or obscene content.
The session also introduced the acronym POLICE to simplify cyber awareness:
- P – Keep your Password strong
- O – Never share OTP or CVV
- L – Avoid unknown Links
- I – Do not Interact with unknown individuals
- C – Avoid Chats with strangers
- E – Emergency—dial 1930 if you're a victim of cybercrime
During the Q&A session, one of the most asked questions was about dealing with bank fraud. The speaker advised that victims should promptly file a complaint at the nearest cybercrime cell or police station and call the emergency helpline. Another question was about pursuing cyber education after a B.Sc. in Forensic Science. It was recommended to look for postgraduate or diploma courses in cyber forensics or cybersecurity offered by reputed or government-recognized institutions.
Conclusion
The expert session effectively raised awareness about cybercrime and safety. With real case examples and practical tips shared by Dr. Sankalp Rai, participants learned how to prevent, identify, and report cyber threats. The session proved insightful and encouraged students to adopt safe digital practices.
