Cybercrime will be biggest police challenge in coming decade, warns top IPS officer

Cybercrime has emerged as the most serious threat to national security and public safety, and tackling it will require a multi-pronged strategy that goes beyond traditional law enforcement methods, according to senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Dhruva Kant Thakur.

Speaking to The Hindu in Lucknow, Mr. Thakur, a 1994-batch Uttar Pradesh cadre officer who currently serves as Director General (Home Guards and Civil Defence), said the rising number of 'digital arrests' and other online frauds shows that cybercrime is now the biggest challenge the country will face over the next decade.

“The increasing incidents of digital arrests and other cyber crimes demonstrate that cyber crime has emerged as the biggest threat to the country,” he said. He noted that while multiple frameworks — including multi-channel reporting systems, awareness campaigns, swift blocking of accounts, and outreach to at-risk populations — have been developed, they need to be further strengthened.

Mr. Thakur warned that scammers are now using AI-based voice and video spoofing to make their schemes more convincing. “With scammers weaponising digital arrest alongside AI voice and video spoofing, the risks will only rise,” he said, adding that cybercrime operates as a “comprehensive hybrid scam network” run by organised syndicates at a transnational level.

He advised citizens to independently verify any suspicious communication by contacting police and bank helplines directly, rather than responding to calls or messages from unknown numbers.

Mr. Thakur was speaking days after he was awarded the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) in recognition of his three-decade career. He has held key responsibilities in some of the country’s largest police organisations and headed specialised units.

The officer also addressed the need for a more people-friendly approach in policing, particularly to build trust with the generation born after 2000. He said this younger demographic presents a new challenge to the existing law enforcement framework, which must adapt to changing societal expectations.

“It is crucial to promote awareness about the importance of law enforcement in schools, colleges, Residential Welfare Associations (RWAs), markets, and coaching centres,” Mr. Thakur said. He suggested using local-language posters, radio broadcasts, and social media videos to reach a wider audience and improve police-citizen relations.

His comments come at a time when cybercrime in India has seen a sharp uptick, with fraudsters exploiting digital payment systems and communication platforms. Law enforcement agencies across the country have been upgrading their capabilities, but officers like Mr. Thakur stress that public awareness and institutional cooperation are equally vital.

As the threat evolves, the police are being forced to rethink their strategies — combining technological tools with community engagement to stay ahead of criminal networks. Mr. Thakur’s remarks underline the need for a coordinated, whole-of-society approach to counter what he describes as the defining security challenge of the coming decade.