New Delhi, April 20 -- Amid a surge in digital fraud, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has introduced an artificial intelligence-powered system, 'Abhay', aimed at helping citizens verify suspicious messages and avoid online scams. The tool enables users to check the authenticity of communications purportedly sent by the agency, offering a reliable alternative to guesswork in an era of rapidly spreading fake alerts.
The system was unveiled by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant at the 22nd D.P. Kohli Memorial Lecture, an annual event hosted by the CBI in honour of its founding director. Speaking on "Challenges of Cyber Crime: Role for Police and Judiciary," the CJI highlighted the growing sophistication of cyber threats and the need for evolving countermeasures.
The launch comes against the backdrop of increasing "digital arrest" scams, where fraudsters impersonate officials from agencies like the CBI. Victims are often shown forged documents and subjected to prolonged video calls designed to create fear and compliance, ultimately forcing them to transfer large sums of money.
According to the agency, 'Abhay' allows quick verification of such claims, helping users identify fraudulent communications before taking any action. This assumes greater significance as fake government messages are increasingly used to coerce payments.
The Supreme Court has recently noted that nearly Rs 40,000 crore has been lost to digital fraud, underlining the scale of the threat.
The event also saw 24 officers being honoured for meritorious service.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.