The rapid digitalisation of India has brought unprecedented access to information and communication, particularly in rural areas. However, it has also led to an increase in digital vulnerabilities, particularly for marginalised and socio-economically disadvantaged communities. This case study examines the work of Rekha Sen, a resident of Ratangarh in the Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh, and her role as a rural fact-checker with the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF). Her efforts to combat misinformation, disinformation, and cyber fraud in her community highlight the challenges rural populations face when navigating the digital ecosystem.
Rekha’s experiences provide a deeper understanding of how misinformation and cyber fraud impact marginalised groups, especially women, persons with disabilities, and economically weaker sections. As an advocate for digital literacy and safety, Rekha is actively engaged in disseminating information, building awareness, and assisting victims of cyber fraud, many of whom struggle to recover from both the financial and social fallout of such incidents.
Ratangarh, located in Neemuch district, is a rural area characterised by low-income households, agricultural dependence, and limited access to formal education. The district is part of Madhya Pradesh, a state that has seen a gradual rise in internet connectivity and mobile phone usage, particularly through government schemes promoting digital inclusion. Despite this, the region remains largely digitally illiterate, with communities vulnerable to cyber fraud, misinformation, and disinformation. These vulnerabilities are exacerbated by socio-economic factors such as poverty, low levels of formal education, and limited access to information about digital safety.
Rekha’s village is home to a diverse population, with a significant representation of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Muslim families. These communities often face discrimination and social exclusion, which, in turn, increases their susceptibility to misinformation and fraud. Rekha’s work as an Information Promoter in this socio-economic landscape reflects both the need for and the challenges of combating digital vulnerabilities in such marginalised settings.
As an Information Promoter with the DEF, Rekha plays a pivotal role in educating her community about digital safety, governmental schemes, and the risks of misinformation and cyber fraud. Her work involves actively engaging with the villagers, sharing information about available schemes, and assisting them with essential services such as photocopying and printing. Her role has also expanded to include membership in self-help groups, which further reinforces her position as a community leader.
Rekha’s involvement with the community has made her a point of contact for those who have been victims of online fraud. Although she reports that no recent incidents of cyber fraud have occurred in her immediate network, she remains vigilant, continually raising awareness about potential risks and advising people on how to avoid becoming victims. This preventive approach is crucial in rural communities, where such frauds often result from a lack of knowledge or inadvertent errors made by the victims themselves.
Misinformation and disinformation have become pervasive issues in rural areas, often spread through mobile phones and social media platforms. Rekha notes that most of the harmful information in her community is disseminated via mobile phones and laptops, which are increasingly common even in rural households. Cyber fraud, in particular, is a significant concern, with victims typically targeted through phishing schemes, fraudulent financial transactions, or scams that exploit personal vulnerabilities.
While no specific incidents have recently occurred in Rekha’s community, she has witnessed the long-term effects of such fraud on older victims. These cases often involve financial losses, social ostracisation, and emotional trauma. In many instances, women are disproportionately affected, as they are often more vulnerable to online harassment and cyber fraud due to their lower levels of digital literacy and the prevailing social norms that emphasise their role in upholding family honour.
Rekha’s strategy for addressing these issues involves a combination of awareness-raising, community engagement, and digital literacy training. From the outset, Rekha recognised the importance of building trust within the community. As a well-respected member of the village, her efforts to disseminate information have been met with positive responses, allowing her to effectively reach out to different demographic groups, including women, the elderly, and economically weaker sections.
One of the key challenges Rekha faces is the deep-rooted scepticism towards digital technology among certain segments of the population. Many villagers, particularly older individuals, view mobile phones and the internet with suspicion, associating them with moral decay or scams. Rekha’s role involves not only educating people about the benefits of digital technology but also dispelling myths and misconceptions that contribute to the spread of misinformation.
Rekha’s efforts have led to a gradual shift in how her community perceives digital technology and the risks associated with it. Through her awareness campaigns, she has reached approximately 1,000 beneficiaries, including members of marginalised communities such as SCs, STs, OBCs, and Muslims. While incidents of cyber fraud are still relatively rare, Rekha’s preventive approach has ensured that more people are informed about the dangers of sharing personal information online and the importance of verifying the legitimacy of digital transactions.
Her work has also shed light on the gendered aspects of cyber fraud. Women, in particular, are more likely to be targeted by scams that exploit social norms around respect and honour. Rekha has observed that incidents involving obscene material or sexual content disproportionately affect women, who are often less equipped to deal with the social and emotional fallout of such attacks. By raising awareness about these issues, Rekha has helped foster a sense of digital agency among women in her community, encouraging them to take active steps to protect themselves online.
Despite her successes, Rekha continues to face significant obstacles in her work. One of the primary challenges is the reluctance of victims to come forward and report cases of cyber fraud or harassment, particularly when these incidents involve explicit content. Social stigma, fear of public shaming, and a lack of trust in the police and judicial system often prevent victims from seeking help. Rekha’s approach to these challenges involves offering emotional support and counselling to victims, helping them overcome their fear and take the necessary steps to file complaints.
Another key challenge is the slow response of local authorities and financial institutions in addressing cases of cyber fraud. Rekha reports that FIRs are often delayed, and banks are reluctant to refund stolen money, leaving victims in a state of financial limbo. In response, Rekha continues to advocate for faster administrative action and greater accountability from financial institutions, while also emphasising the importance of digital literacy as a preventive measure.
Rekha Sen’s work as an Information Promoter in Ratangarh is an example of how grassroots efforts can help address the growing threat of cyber fraud and misinformation in rural India. By building trust within her community and offering practical solutions to digital vulnerabilities, Rekha has empowered marginalised individuals to take control of their digital lives. Her approach demonstrates the importance of combining digital literacy with community engagement and emotional support, particularly in regions where access to formal education and digital infrastructure remains limited.
As India continues to digitalise, the lessons learned from Rekha’s efforts will be crucial in shaping future policies and programmes aimed at protecting rural populations from cyber fraud and misinformation. By fostering greater digital awareness and promoting a culture of vigilance, Rekha’s work represents a vital step towards creating a safer and more inclusive digital ecosystem for all.