said Principal Secretary, Home, and Telangana Cyber Security Bureau Director, Shikha Goel.

Nearly 60% of the money lost by cybercrime victims in Telangana is tied to stock-trading and investment frauds, according to Shikha Goel, Principal Secretary, Home, and Director of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau. During a cybersecurity symposium in Madhapur, Goel emphasized that organized cybercrime networks are increasingly exploiting human behavior rather than just exploiting technological weaknesses.

They build trust with their victims before manipulating them into transferring money. These criminal syndicates have grown more advanced, operating from countries like Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Their operations are spread across various locations and time zones, making it challenging for investigators to apprehend the individuals controlling these networks.

Some syndicates even run sophisticated call centers staffed by multilingual individuals posing as targets. Goel stated that cybercrime is a highly organized crime but also one of the most preventable crimes, highlighting that fear, greed, and ignorance often leave people vulnerable. She advised people to pause, think, and verify before responding to money-related requests or disclosing personal information.

The symposium, titled "When Trust Becomes the Weapon – The New Battle for the Human Mind," attracted over 200 attendees and discussed the growing influence of artificial intelligence in cyber threats. Cyber-law expert Pavan Duggal warned against excessive reliance on AI for decision-making, as outsourcing tasks and judgment to technology could weaken people's independent thinking.

Jiten Jain, a cybersecurity expert, recommended treating mobile numbers as sensitive personal information and not sharing them indiscriminately at shops and billing counters, as they could serve as entry points for social-engineering and identity-related fraud. Symposium managing trustee Shruti Mallpani emphasized that the real battle is not technology but human judgment, aiming to foster conversations that help citizens understand emerging threats and make safer choices in the digital realm.

The event also featured the unveiling of cybersecurity awareness videos and materials developed in collaboration with the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, which have reached nearly 2.95 lakh pensioners and over three lakh serving employees in the state.