Haryana Police Initiative Offers an Additional Layer of Security for Senior Citizens; Public Advised to Report Suspicious Calls on Cyber Helpline 1930

YAMUNANAGAR/ PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK

Haryana Police has introduced the ‘Abhedya’ app and a double OTP system as an additional security measure aimed at protecting citizens, particularly senior citizens, from cyber fraud and scams involving threats of so-called “digital arrest”, Superintendent of Police Kamaldeep Goyal said.

Goyal said cyber criminals were increasingly attempting to deceive members of the public by posing as police officers or government officials and creating fear and psychological pressure. In such cases, fraudsters may attempt to persuade victims to share OTPs themselves or carry out transactions under pressure, potentially leading to financial fraud.

He said the ‘Abhedya’ app and double OTP mechanism were intended to provide an additional layer of verification and help reduce the risk of transactions being carried out under coercion.

According to the Superintendent of Police, the system is particularly relevant for senior citizens, who may sometimes become targets of cyber criminals using intimidation, false official identities and threats. Under the additional verification mechanism, a second OTP or confirmation message is also sent to a trusted family member or friend nominated by the senior citizen.

The additional confirmation is intended to alert the nominated person when a transaction requiring verification is being attempted. This can give family members an opportunity to recognise a suspicious situation and take timely action, potentially preventing a fraudulent transaction.

Goyal said the system combines security, trust and public awareness and can provide an additional safeguard against cyber fraud attempts.

He appealed to citizens not to panic if they receive threatening calls from unknown persons claiming to represent a police department, government agency or other official authority.

The SP specifically clarified that no police officer or government agency carries out a “digital arrest” over the telephone. He advised people to remain alert if an unknown person attempts to threaten, blackmail or extort money from them by claiming that they are involved in a criminal case or other official investigation.

Citizens receiving suspicious calls, particularly from unknown or foreign numbers, should not share OTPs, banking credentials or other sensitive information with callers. Goyal urged people to report such incidents promptly through the national cybercrime helpline 1930.

He made a special appeal to senior citizens to consider using the ‘Abhedya’ app and nominate a trusted family member or friend for the double OTP facility. The objective, he said, is to create an additional layer of protection around financial transactions and make it more difficult for cyber criminals to exploit fear and psychological pressure.

Explaining the double OTP system, the SP said the first OTP is received on the mobile number of the senior citizen. A second OTP or confirmation call is then sent to the trusted person nominated by the account holder. The transaction can proceed only after verification at both levels.

The system is designed to introduce an additional check before a transaction is completed. This can be particularly useful in situations where a person may be under pressure from a cyber fraudster and may otherwise follow instructions without independently verifying the authenticity of the caller.

Goyal stressed that technology-based security measures should be accompanied by public awareness. Citizens need to understand that genuine government agencies and police officials do not ask people to transfer money merely because they receive a threatening telephone call.

He also urged family members to remain connected with elderly relatives and help them understand common cyber fraud tactics. Awareness, he said, can play an important role in preventing people from becoming victims of online scams.

Cyber criminals often rely on urgency, fear and impersonation to pressure potential victims into taking immediate action. By creating an additional verification step and encouraging people to consult trusted family members, the double OTP system can provide an opportunity to identify suspicious transactions before they are completed.

The police administration has also urged citizens to report suspected cyber fraud as quickly as possible. Timely reporting can be important in financial fraud cases because it allows the concerned authorities to initiate appropriate action at the earliest possible stage.

Goyal said the fight against cyber crime requires cooperation between law-enforcement agencies, technology systems, financial institutions, families and citizens. While the ‘Abhedya’ app and double OTP system provide additional security mechanisms, people must continue to follow basic cyber-safety precautions.

Citizens should avoid sharing OTPs, passwords or banking information with unknown callers and should independently verify any claim made by a person presenting themselves as a police officer or government official.

The Superintendent of Police urged people to remain calm in the face of threats and not allow fear to dictate financial decisions. If a caller attempts to create panic by claiming that a person is under investigation or facing immediate arrest, the individual should verify the information through official channels rather than following the caller’s instructions.

The introduction of additional verification through the ‘Abhedya’ app and double OTP system is aimed at strengthening the safety net for citizens, especially vulnerable senior citizens.

Goyal reiterated his appeal to the public to remain alert, use available cyber-safety measures and report suspicious activity through the appropriate channels. He said awareness and timely intervention can help prevent cyber criminals from succeeding in their attempts to defraud citizens.

POD/DESK