Devpura is a small village inhabited by around 700 people from the Banjara community, a traditionally nomadic group classified as a Scheduled Tribe in India. Ashok Banjara’s experience represents the intersection of two crucial issues faced by marginalised communities in rural India—digital vulnerability and cyber fraud.
As the sole breadwinner of his family, Ashok, who is 80% disabled due to a leg impairment, sought to improve his family’s living conditions by saving money to build a concrete house. However, his life was upended when he became the victim of a cybercrime that involved both financial fraud and digital obscenity. This case sheds light on how vulnerable individuals and marginalised communities face compounded risks when they are drawn into the digital sphere without adequate safeguards or knowledge of cyber threats.
Devpura is a small, underdeveloped village in the Neemuch district, populated by members of the Banjara community. Like many rural areas in India, the village faces significant socio-economic challenges, including a lack of infrastructure, limited access to education, and inadequate healthcare. Most of the population engages in subsistence farming, manual labour, or small-scale trade. The community is primarily Scheduled Tribes, with a small number of individuals from Other Backward Classes (OBC) and General categories.
As a physically disabled individual, Ashok faces additional hurdles in securing a stable livelihood. His disability, combined with the socio-economic disadvantages of his community, places him in an even more precarious position. Despite these challenges, Ashok was able to save a substantial sum of ₹88,000 over time, a testament to his determination and hard work.
However, like many rural residents, Ashok was unfamiliar with the dangers posed by the digital world. While mobile phones and internet access have become increasingly common in rural India, digital literacy has not kept pace with the growing use of technology. This gap leaves individuals like Ashok susceptible to cyber fraud, as they are often unaware of how to protect themselves from online threats. Ashok’s case illustrates how such digital vulnerabilities can have devastating consequences for marginalised individuals and communities.
Ashok’s ordeal began when his phone was hacked, and explicit images and videos were sent to his contacts without his knowledge. These obscene materials, which falsely appeared to be sent by Ashok himself, quickly spread through his social network, leading to public shaming and ostracisation. People from his contact list began calling him, hurling abusive language and accusing him of distributing obscene content. Ashok, unaware of the hacking, was initially shocked and confused by the accusations. His social standing within the community deteriorated, with many assuming that he was responsible for the obscene messages.
In addition to the social fallout from the spread of explicit content, Ashok experienced significant financial harm. Shortly after his phone was hacked, money began to be automatically deducted from his bank account. Over a series of three transactions, a total of ₹88,000 was withdrawn without his consent. This loss represented Ashok’s entire savings, which he had painstakingly accumulated to build a secure home for his family. The financial blow, combined with the public shaming he endured, left Ashok emotionally and psychologically devastated.
The cybercriminals who targeted Ashok employed simple yet effective methods to execute the fraud. The explicit content was likely spread via a compromised messaging application, such as WhatsApp, and the financial theft was probably facilitated through phishing techniques or malware that allowed the criminals to gain access to Ashok’s banking information. While the exact technology used in this case is not entirely clear, it is evident that Ashok’s lack of digital literacy and awareness made him an easy target for such cyber attacks.
Ashok’s case demonstrates the profound impact that cybercrime can have on individuals and their communities. In addition to losing his savings, Ashok faced severe social stigma as a result of the obscene materials sent from his phone. In rural communities like Devpura, where social ties are strong and reputations are closely guarded, such incidents can have long-lasting effects on a person’s social standing. Ashok was subjected to verbal abuse from his neighbours and peers, many of whom assumed that he was complicit in the distribution of the explicit content.
The emotional toll on Ashok and his family was immense. As the sole breadwinner, Ashok had already been under significant pressure to provide for his family, including his wife and children. The financial loss he suffered compounded the stress, leaving him unsure of how to recover from the situation. Moreover, the shame associated with the dissemination of obscene content added another layer of trauma to an already distressing situation.
For Ashok, the social isolation that followed the incident was one of the most challenging aspects of his ordeal. His status as a respected member of the community was undermined, and he found himself increasingly cut off from social support. The experience of being ostracised not only affected Ashok but also extended to his family, who bore the brunt of the community’s judgment.
After discovering the fraudulent deductions from his bank account, Ashok immediately approached the local police station in Ratangarh, Madhya Pradesh, to file an FIR (First Information Report). While the police registered the case, Ashok’s efforts to recover his stolen funds have been met with bureaucratic delays. The bank, despite being informed of the incident, has yet to return his money, leaving Ashok in a state of financial limbo.
The lack of swift and effective administrative action in cases of cybercrime is a significant issue in rural India. Many victims, like Ashok, struggle to navigate the legal and bureaucratic processes required to resolve such cases. The delays in processing FIRs and the slow response from financial institutions exacerbate the financial and emotional distress faced by victims. In Ashok’s case, despite filing the necessary complaints, no resolution has been reached, leaving him frustrated and disillusioned with the system.
Ashok’s case is not an isolated incident. Across rural India, marginalised communities, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), are increasingly vulnerable to cyber fraud and digital crimes. The rapid expansion of digital technologies, coupled with low levels of digital literacy, has created a dangerous environment where misinformation, disinformation, and cyber fraud can thrive.
Women, in particular, are often disproportionately affected by digital crimes. In many cases, women are targeted with obscene content, which can damage their reputations and lead to social exclusion. The fear of public shame often prevents women from reporting such incidents, allowing cybercriminals to operate with impunity. In rural areas, where traditional gender norms and social hierarchies are strongly enforced, the impact of digital crimes on women can be especially severe.
Despite the challenges faced by Ashok, his case has also served as a catalyst for greater awareness within the community. Upon realising that Ashok had been a victim of cybercrime, local community workers and digital literacy trainers from the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) stepped in to provide support. DEF, which works to promote digital literacy and access in rural India, has been instrumental in educating communities about the dangers of cyber fraud and the importance of online safety.
Ashok’s experience has prompted discussions within the community about the need for greater caution when using digital platforms. Women in particular, who are often more vulnerable to digital harassment and exploitation, have been encouraged to be vigilant and report suspicious activities. DEF has also conducted digital literacy training sessions in Devpura, aimed at raising awareness about cyber threats and teaching individuals how to protect themselves from online fraud.
Ashok Banjara’s experience underscores the urgent need for greater digital literacy and stronger safeguards against cyber fraud in rural India. As the country continues to digitalise, it is essential to ensure that marginalised communities are not left behind in terms of digital awareness and safety. By implementing targeted digital literacy programmes, improving legal frameworks for cybercrime reporting, and fostering community-based support networks, it is possible to protect vulnerable individuals like Ashok from the devastating effects of cyber fraud and digital harassment.