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| The young Hacker : GenZ |
"The hands that should be holding books are now involved in OTP scams and online frauds..."
Today, we are living in a time where Gen-z – the young generation – is the biggest user of the internet and technology. But sadly, a part of this same generation is now getting pulled into the world of cyber frauds, online scams, and digital crimes.
The hands that should be holding books, typing code, or building a bright future are now being used to run scam call centers, send phishing links, and commit online theft.
But is it always their fault?
Not always.
Many of them don’t even know what they’re doing is a crime. Some people use their lack of knowledge and guide them the wrong way. They are told – "Just get an OTP," or "Send this link to someone," and they’ll earn money. And just like that, one wrong step can destroy their whole future. "One small mistake, one wrong choice – and a bright career is lost behind bars." 
This is happening because of lack of awareness, no proper digital education, and sometimes unemployment. Thousands of students with talent are walking down the wrong path. But the truth is – every person who chooses cybercrime could have become a great cybersecurity expert or ethical hacker instead.
Cybercrime is not just a number or news report – it’s a serious warning that we’re losing our future to the wrong hands.
We need to focus on proper guidance, cyber awareness, and strong actions – so that we can save our youth and protect our nation from this growing digital danger.
"Cybercrime & Gen Z: Shocking Real-Life Arrests"
🧑💻 1. Ahmedabad (2025):
A 19-year-old boy was arrested for helping a cyber gang in a ₹1.36 crore digital arrest scam. He was calling people pretending to be from the police and extorting money using fear. He said he didn’t know it was a crime — he was just doing it for ₹15,000 per month.
📱 2. Bareilly, UP (2025):
A 20-year-old college student helped cybercriminals steal ₹1.29 crore from a retired scientist by sending fake legal notices and using the victim's fear. He only sent a few messages and forwarded OTPs — but now faces jail time.
🎧 3. Jamtara (Ongoing):
Teenagers in Jamtara, Jharkhand, are running fake call centers. Many are just 17–21 years old. They call people pretending to be from banks, asking for OTPs and stealing money. Their village is now known as the "cybercrime hub" of India.
💻 4. Bhubaneswar (2024):
A 17-year-old schoolboy created a fake payment app that looked like Google Pay. He used it to fool shopkeepers. Police said he learned to code from YouTube and used his talent for crime instead of good.
📞 5. Mumbai (2023):
Two 18-year-old boys were caught running a fake customer care number online. They made people call them for help and stole card details. They earned over ₹10 lakhs in 6 months.
🌐 6. Delhi NCR (2024):
A 22-year-old engineering dropout built a phishing site that looked like a bank login page. He stole user IDs and passwords and sold them on Telegram. His monthly income was ₹2 lakh until he was tracked and arrested.
🎮 7. Hyderabad (2023):
A 16-year-old gamer shared a fake game link with his friends. That link installed spyware and stole their phone data. He was part of an online group that did it for fun and "revenge."
👨💻 8. Kolkata (2025):
A 21-year-old was caught using Instagram to sell hacked Netflix and Amazon Prime accounts. He started this during COVID to "make some side income" but ended up in a cyber cell case.
"We Hear About Cybercrime Every Day — What’s Causing This Surge?"
1️⃣ Lack of Awareness:
For example, some are told to just forward a link, collect OTPs, or ask someone for bank details — they think it’s a small task for quick money. But these actions are serious crimes under cyber laws.
They never learn about this in school or at home, so they don’t know the risk.
2️⃣ Attraction to Fast Money
The idea of earning ₹5,000–₹10,000 in just one day by doing “simple online work” attracts many students.They are promised money without hard work, and that looks better than a part-time job.
But they don’t realize that this fast money can cost them their freedom and future.
3️⃣ Peer Pressure and Online Influence
When friends, classmates, or people on Telegram say “everyone is doing this,” many feel it’s okay.
If one person in a group starts earning money through fraud, others want to try too.
Also, movies and social media sometimes show hackers as cool or powerful, which gives the wrong message.
4️⃣ Lack of Cyber Education
Most schools and colleges don’t teach about cyber safety, digital laws, or how scams work.
Students know how to use smartphones and apps — but not how to protect themselves or others.
Without the right knowledge, it’s easy to fall into the wrong side of the internet.
5️⃣ Unemployment and Financial Stress
Some Gen Z youth are under pressure to earn for their families.
With rising expenses, job struggles, and no support, they fall for online scams that offer money in return for small tasks — which later turn out to be criminal activities.
In many cases, they don’t want to harm anyone — they just need money.
6️⃣ Easy Access to Crime Tools
Today, it’s easy to get fake SIM cards, phishing kits, call scripts, and hacking tools from Telegram channels or the dark web.
This means that even a 16-year-old sitting in a small town can do scams across India.
The internet has made crime accessible — even to those who barely understand what they’re doing.
Cybercrime cases in India are rising fast — growing 9000% in just 15 years. Most of these involve youth under 25.
This upward trend highlights the growing challenge of cybercrime, especially among the younger generation, including Gen Z. The increasing access to digital devices and the internet, combined with factors such as lack of awareness and peer influence, contribute to this rise. Understanding this pattern helps emphasize the urgent need for improved cyber awareness, education, and stronger cybersecurity measures.
How Can We Raise Awareness About Cybercrime Among Gen-Z
Raising awareness about cybercrime is crucial to protect young people and reduce their involvement in illegal activities. Here are some effective ways to spread cyber awareness among Gen Z:
- Educational Programs in Schools and Colleges : Integrate cyber safety and ethics lessons into the school curriculum to teach students about online risks, safe browsing habits, and responsible digital behavior.
- Workshops and Webinars : Organize interactive sessions where experts explain common cyber threats, how to recognize scams, and what steps to take if targeted.
- Use of Social Media and Influencers : Leverage platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, where Gen Z spends most of their time, to share short, engaging videos and posts about cyber hygiene and legal consequences of cybercrime.
- Creating Awareness Campaigns : Run campaigns with catchy slogans, infographics, and real-life stories that highlight the dangers of cybercrime and encourage ethical behavior online.
- Encouraging Open Conversations : Parents, teachers, and community leaders should create a supportive environment where young people feel comfortable discussing cyber issues and seeking help when needed.
- Promoting Reporting and Support Systems : Inform youth about how to report cybercrimes safely and provide easy access to helplines or online portals for assistance.
Conclusion:
Cybercrime is rising rapidly in India, especially among Gen Z due to lack of awareness and easy access to technology. To combat this, we need strong cyber education, awareness campaigns, and responsible online behavior. By working together—parents, educators, and youth—we can create a safer digital world and empower the younger generation to use technology wisely.Follow us :: Cybernewsx
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