Diwali Cyber Alert: Bilaspur Police Launches Awareness Campaign, Collector, IG, SP and Mrs India Alluring Join Initiative
Bilaspur, 11 Nov 2026: As online shopping, digital payments and social media usage surge during the festive season, cybercriminals are finding new ways to target unsuspecting people. To protect citizens from online fraud during Diwali, Bilaspur Police has launched a special cyber safety awareness initiative under its ‘Chetna Bahu-Aayami Abhiyan’.
A special cyber awareness poster carrying the message “Bring Light into Your Homes This Diwali, Don’t Give Fraudsters a Chance!” was released in the presence of the Bilaspur Collector Sanjay Agrawal, Inspector General of Police (IG) Ram Gopal Garg, Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajnesh Singh, and Mrs India Alluring 2026, Angel CHouksey.
The initiative aims to educate people about common cyber fraud tactics and encourage safer digital practices, particularly during the festive season when online transactions and shopping activities increase significantly.
Four Essential Safety Tips to Avoid Cyber Fraud
The awareness poster highlights four key precautions that citizens should follow to protect themselves from cybercriminals:
- Never share your One-Time Password (OTP) with strangers or unknown callers.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious or unfamiliar links received through messages or social media.
- Never allow unknown persons to access or share your mobile screen.
- In case of cyber fraud, immediately report the incident by calling the national cybercrime helpline 1930.
Prompt reporting can help authorities take timely action and improve the chances of preventing the fraudulent transfer of money.
Fake Offers and Cashback Deals Can Become a Trap
During Diwali, consumers frequently look for attractive discounts, cashback offers, gift vouchers and special online deals. Cybercriminals often exploit this increased digital activity by circulating fake promotional messages, fraudulent websites and suspicious links.
In some cases, fraudsters impersonate bank officials or representatives of reputed companies to obtain confidential banking information. Unsuspecting users may also be tricked into sharing OTPs or granting screen access, potentially exposing their financial details.
Bilaspur Police has urged citizens to verify the authenticity of online offers and avoid sharing sensitive information with unknown individuals.
Police Focuses on Building Cyber Awareness
The campaign seeks to go beyond a one-time awareness initiative by encouraging responsible digital behaviour among citizens. Police have also emphasised the importance of educating senior citizens and children about emerging cybercrime tactics.
The central message of the campaign is simple: celebrate Diwali with lights and happiness, but remain alert while using digital platforms and making online payments.
This Diwali, light up your homes, not the accounts of cyber fraudsters. Stay alert, stay informed and stay cyber safe.
