New Delhi: Indian security agencies have issued an alert over an alleged emerging online recruitment tactic linked to extremist networks, warning that women could be targeted through fake friendships, emotional manipulation and fraudulent marriage proposals on digital platforms.

According to intelligence assessments, operatives associated with Jamaat-ul-Mominat (JUM), described by agencies as the women’s wing of banned terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), are allegedly using social media and messaging applications to establish contact with potential targets. Officials said the strategy involves building emotional trust over an extended period before attempting to influence or manipulate individuals.

Security agencies are continuing to verify the intelligence inputs and have stressed that investigations into specific cases remain ongoing.

Social Media Used as a Recruitment Tool

Officials familiar with the matter said suspected operatives may use online conversations to create a sense of friendship or romantic attachment. These interactions are reportedly designed to appear natural and may continue for weeks or months before any discussion about travel, relationships or ideological issues begins.

Investigators believe the alleged objective is to gradually isolate targets from their normal support systems and encourage overseas travel under the pretext of marriage or personal relationships. Agencies are examining whether such methods are being used to facilitate radicalisation or obtain sensitive information.

Authorities have emphasised that initial conversations typically focus on personal topics rather than security-related matters, making the activity difficult to identify in its early stages.

Border States Under Greater Watch

Intelligence agencies are reportedly paying closer attention to areas near the India-Pakistan border, including parts of Rajasthan, due to concerns about possible attempts to exploit geographic proximity.

Officials have also examined the possibility that individuals attempting to move across borders could use indirect travel routes through third countries. However, agencies have stated that such assessments are based on ongoing intelligence analysis and require further verification.

Experts Highlight Risks of Online Manipulation

Cybersecurity experts have warned that extremist organisations worldwide are increasingly using digital platforms, psychological tactics and social engineering techniques to influence individuals.

Former IPS officer and cybercrime expert Prof. Triveni Singh said people should be cautious about online relationships involving unknown individuals, especially when conversations quickly move towards marriage, foreign travel or requests for confidential information.

Experts advise users to verify identities independently, avoid sharing personal details with strangers online and report suspicious interactions to law enforcement authorities.

Authorities Issue Safety Advisory

Security agencies have urged citizens to maintain caution while using social media and messaging platforms. People have been advised to:

• Verify the identity of unknown online contacts before developing personal relationships.
• Avoid sharing private information, documents or location details.
• Be cautious of sudden marriage proposals or pressure to travel abroad.
• Report suspicious online activity through appropriate cybercrime reporting channels.

Officials said intelligence agencies are continuously monitoring digital threats and strengthening efforts to identify and prevent online-based recruitment and manipulation attempts.

New Delhi: Delhi University has entered into a partnership with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to strengthen cybersecurity awareness, prevention and response mechanisms across its campuses.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to protect students from growing digital threats such as online financial fraud, cyberbullying, identity theft, phishing attacks and other forms of cybercrime. The initiative will place special emphasis on students, including women and individuals from economically weaker sections who may face increased vulnerability to online exploitation.

Partnership Focuses on Cyber Awareness and Skill Development

The agreement was signed by Delhi University Registrar Vikas Gupta and I4C Director Nishant Kumar. The collaboration will focus on cyber hygiene, awareness campaigns, research initiatives, internships, capacity building programmes and student engagement activities.

University officials said the move was prompted by the rising number of incidents involving students being targeted through digital fraud and online harassment. They highlighted that careless online behaviour can lead to serious financial, emotional and reputational consequences.

With students increasingly dependent on digital platforms for education, payments, communication and career opportunities, educational institutions have become important areas for cybersecurity awareness efforts.

I4C to Support Training and Cybersecurity Initiatives

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, plays a central role in coordinating India’s response to cybercrime.

Through platforms such as the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and the 1930 cyber fraud helpline, I4C supports faster reporting and response to online financial crimes. The centre also works on cyber threat analysis, law enforcement training and technology-driven investigation support.

Under the Delhi University partnership, students are expected to participate in cybersecurity workshops, awareness drives, hackathons and competitions. Internship opportunities and cyber volunteer programmes will also be promoted to provide practical exposure to cybersecurity operations.

Moving Beyond Awareness to Research and Innovation

Officials said the collaboration is designed not only as a short-term awareness campaign but also as a long-term effort to create a stronger cybersecurity ecosystem within academic institutions.

Delhi University Computer Centre Director Sanjeev Singh said the initiative would provide students with opportunities to gain practical knowledge of cyber investigations and emerging security technologies through collaborative projects.

The partnership also aims to encourage research cooperation between cybersecurity professionals and academic communities to address challenges specific to university environments.

Experts Stress Need for Digital Literacy Among Students

Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said students are increasingly targeted because of their extensive digital presence and frequent use of online services.

He noted that cybercriminals often exploit situations involving fake internships, scholarship scams, phishing messages and online financial offers. According to experts, introducing cybersecurity education as part of academic life can help students identify risks and adopt safer digital practices.

The collaboration between Delhi University and I4C is expected to be implemented through phased programmes during upcoming academic sessions, bringing together government expertise, law enforcement resources and academic participation to improve campus cyber resilience.

New Delhi: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has released the second edition of the Digital Threat Report 2025-26 focusing on cybersecurity challenges affecting India’s banking, financial services, insurance and digital payments ecosystem.

Prepared in collaboration with CERT-In, CSIRT-Fin and cybersecurity firm SISA, the report examines emerging cyber threats, evolving attack patterns and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on financial-sector security.

The assessment combines digital forensics insights, incident response analysis and threat intelligence to help financial institutions, regulators and cybersecurity professionals prepare for increasingly complex attacks.

Cyber Threats Moving Faster From Discovery to Exploitation

A key finding of the report is that six out of seven predictions made in the previous edition have now materialised at a large scale.

The report highlights that the time between the discovery of a cyber vulnerability and its exploitation by attackers is shrinking significantly. Threats that previously developed over years are now becoming operational within months or even weeks.

Methods such as social engineering, credential theft, supply-chain attacks and cloud exploitation have moved from emerging risks to established attack techniques.

The report warns that future cyber incidents may not always appear as traditional hacking attempts. Instead, attackers may operate through seemingly legitimate user accounts, authorised transactions or normal business processes, allowing malicious activity to remain hidden until significant damage occurs.

AI-Powered Attacks Create New Challenges

The report identifies artificial intelligence-driven cyber threats, described as “AI asymmetry”, as one of the biggest emerging risks for financial institutions.

According to the assessment, tasks that once required specialist teams, extensive resources and long preparation periods can increasingly be performed at high speed using AI-powered tools.

This development has created concerns that offensive cyber capabilities may advance faster than traditional security measures and regulatory responses.

SISA founder and CEO Dharshan Shanthamurthy said the gap between technological innovation and cyber exploitation has narrowed, requiring organisations to treat cybersecurity as a strategic priority rather than only a technical function.

CERT-In Calls for Continuous Cyber Resilience

Dr Sanjay Bahl, Director General of CERT-In, said the increasing digital interconnectedness of India’s financial ecosystem requires stronger cooperation between institutions, regulators and technology partners.

He emphasised that cybersecurity cannot rely only on periodic audits or emergency responses. Instead, organisations need continuous monitoring, faster information sharing and coordinated risk management.

MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan also highlighted the importance of collaboration between government bodies and industry stakeholders in strengthening India’s cyber resilience.

Four-Layer Framework Explains Cyber Failures

The report introduces an “Anatomy of Cyber Failure” framework to explain how cyber incidents escalate despite existing security controls.

The framework examines four key areas:

• System design weaknesses
• Gaps in security controls
• Failure to detect warning signals
• Challenges in organisational response

Rather than viewing breaches as isolated incidents, the model presents cyberattacks as a chain of interconnected failures that can build over time.

The framework is intended to help financial organisations identify vulnerabilities, improve security investments and develop stronger defence strategies.

18-Month Roadmap for Financial Institutions

The report outlines an 18-month cybersecurity roadmap for the financial sector. The plan focuses on strengthening basic security controls, developing continuous monitoring capabilities and building more resilient cybersecurity architectures.

Officials said the report aims to help banks, insurers and digital payment companies anticipate systemic threats and protect public confidence in India’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

Cybersecurity experts believe that improving threat intelligence sharing, adopting advanced detection technologies and maintaining proactive security practices will be essential as cybercriminals increasingly use automation and AI-based methods.