As 2025 comes to an end, cybercrime officials say awareness is the best defence against online fraud. Cybercriminals have now started sending ‘Happy New Year’ messages containing dangerous links to trap users.
Clicking on these links can immediately lead to financial fraud. Despite the high alert, Gujarat citizens lost 121 crore to cyber fraud in December. However, quick action by the State Cyber Cell helped recover 61 crore, while 17.72 crore was saved in just two days.
According to the Gujarat Cyber Centre of Excellence, calls received on the cyber fraud helpline showed the scale of losses during the month. A major breakthrough came on December 28 and 29.
On December 28, the 1930 helpline received 658 calls, including one timely call that helped stop a fraud of 1.57 crore. On December 29, out of 1,115 calls, authorities saved 9.04 crore—about 85 per cent of the defrauded amount. In another case, 7.11 crore was recovered from an attempted fraud of 7.12 crore.
Cyber officials stressed the importance of the “golden hour”. Reporting fraud immediately by calling 1930 greatly improves the chances of freezing transactions and recovering money.
Ahead of New Year’s Eve, the Cyber Cell has issued a fresh warning. Messages wishing ‘Happy New Year’ with clickable links should be treated as suspicious, as fraudsters may pose as government departments, companies, political leaders or officials.