Bajaj Finance Ltd (BFL)., India’s largest Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in the private sector, and part of Bajaj Finserv, today held a cyber fraud awareness programme in Madurai- Knockout Digital Fraud - to inform digital users about different types of threats, and best practices to safeguard finances.
The event was graced by distinguished dignitaries including Smt. S Priya, Inspector of Police; Smt. Sutharasana, Sub-Inspector; and Paul Rangan, Retired Deputy Superintendent of Police. Around 75 people were part of this awareness campaign. The speakers threw light on various kinds of frauds prevalent in and around Madurai. The audience were informed about fake OTP fraud, Phishing Fraud, Digital Arrest, Financial Loan fraud, Pension fraud and other frauds.
“Between January and August this year, the Cyber Crime Police in Madurai has arrested 50 individuals involved in cyber fraud,” said Smt. S Priya, Inspector of Police, while addressing attendees at Bajaj Finance’s Knockout Digital Fraud awareness initiative.
“We’ve successfully recovered ₹1.12 crore from these fraudsters. Our crackdown is ongoing, and we remain committed to leveraging every platform to educate the public on cyber safety and protect citizens from digital threats,” she added.
Addressing the audience, she emphasized the importance of digital vigilance: “Cybercrime often stems from fear and a lack of awareness. It’s crucial for individuals to educate themselves about online threats and adopt safe practices.” She also advised opting for cash on delivery when shopping online, as a precaution against potential fraud.
The Knockout Digital Fraud programme aligns with the Reserve Bank of India’s 2024 guidelines on Fraud Risk management for NBFCs, which emphasises early detection, staff accountability, and public engagement to make the digital ecosystem safer for everyone.
The programme is focused on drawing citizens’ attention to common financial frauds committed by scammers including fake social media accounts, WhatsApp groups and websites that mimic financial companies, falsely claiming affiliation and impersonating their employees.
Speaking on the occasion, a spokesperson from BFL, said, “The financial safety of our consumers is paramount to us. We are constantly issuing online and offline advisories, on social media platforms, as well as through on-ground interactions with citizens, encouraging everyone to be cyber safe.”
Knockout Digital Fraud offers the cyber community valuable safety tips on safeguarding personal and sensitive information. This includes refraining from sharing OTPs, PINs, clicking on suspicious emails, SMSs, links, QR codes and downloading applications from unknown sources. It includes a series of interactive workshops, digital awareness drives, and community outreach programs across major cities and towns.