Kargil, February 10: The District Administration Kargil, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) Kargil and the Cyber Cell Police Department, organised a Cyber Security Awareness Programme for various district officials to mark the celebration of Safer Internet Day.
The theme of the programme was “Smart Tech, Safe Choice: Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI,” highlighting the importance of adopting technology wisely while ensuring safety in the digital world.
The programme was graced by the Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Rakesh Kumar, along with Additional Deputy Commissioner Imteeaz Kacho and District Informatics Officer Iftikhar Hussain, besides several district officers and officials from cyber cell. Sub inspector Lobzang Choszom and Mohd Hassan from Cyber Crime Kargil were resource persons on the occasion.
During the programme, the Deputy Commissioner met with the officials and expressed gratitude to the trainers for conducting the awareness session. He shared his views on how cyber frauds have duped many people across the country, including personal experiences from within his own family. He urged officers to remain alert and also spread awareness among the public.
Highlighting a recent example, the Deputy Commissioner referred to the Oswal Group, which reportedly lost nearly ₹7 crore through a “digital arrest fraud.” He emphasized that “nothing is free in this world, and no one gives money without hard work,” urging everyone to approach suspicious calls and online offers with caution before becoming victims.
He further advised officers to use official NIC email services for sharing important documents instead of personal mail accounts. He also warned that WhatsApp chats and photographs could be misused if leaked, stressing the need to verify information carefully and remain vigilant at all times.
The Deputy Commissioner also spoke about the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, stating that AI tools can enhance efficiency and ease official work, but must be used carefully after proper verification. In conclusion, he remarked that colleagues in office form a second family in the workplace where mutual support and caution are essential.
Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner Imteeaz Kacho also addressed the gathering and noted that several fraud cases in Kargil have occurred due to OTP misuse. He expressed concern over excessive dependence on the internet, especially among children, and urged parents to guide them towards healthy habits such as reading books and gaining knowledge beyond mobile phones.
He added that while technological advancement is beneficial such as the implementation of e-offices and digital file transfer systems, it is equally important to remain cautious and responsible while using such platforms.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner once again thanked all officers and trainers for their participation and encouraged everyone to perform their duties with vigilance and awareness as responsible citizens.
The trainers Mohd Hassan and Lobzang Choszom jointly discussed various forms of cybercrime and fraudulent practices, including digital arrest scams, customs duty frauds, cyber stalking, online sextortion, OLX-related frauds, phishing scams through ATMs, and ATM card swapping, among others. The session aimed at equipping officers with practical knowledge to identify and prevent such cyber threats.
