- The awareness drive in Bhubaneswar is part of Bajaj Finance’s 100-city cyber security programme to inform citizens about different types of cyber threats, and ways to safeguard one’s finances against fraudsters
Bhubaneswar: Bajaj Finance Ltd (BFL)., India’s largest Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in the private sector, and part of Bajaj Finserv, today held a cyber fraud awareness programme in Bhubaneswar – Knockout Digital Fraud – to inform digital users about different types of threats, and best practices to safeguard finances.
The Knockout Digital Fraud programme aligns with the Reserve Bank of India’s 2024 guidelines on Fraud Risk management for NBFCs, which emphasises early detection, staff accountability, and public engagement to make the digital ecosystem safer for everyone.
The programme is focused on drawing citizens’ attention to common financial frauds committed by scammers including fake social media accounts, WhatsApp groups and websites that mimic financial companies, falsely claiming affiliation and impersonating their employees.
Addressing the audience during Bajaj Finance’s “Knockout Digital Fraud” awareness initiative, Shri Akshaya Kumar Nayak, ACP, Cyber Crime , Bhubaneswar–Cuttack Police Commissionerate said – “In today’s digitally driven society, our understanding of safety must expand beyond physical boundaries. While our borders are protected by defense personnel, the threats lurking in our financial and online spaces require equal attention. From deceptive investment schemes to the dangers of using unverified public Wi-Fi, we face cyber risks daily. Auto-download settings can expose devices to malicious APKs, and the lack of privacy awareness on platforms like WhatsApp or social media opens doors for intrusion.
Being cyber safe is not just a precaution—it is a responsibility. Simple steps like disabling auto-downloads, avoiding unsecured networks, securing our accounts, and staying alert to suspicious activities can drastically reduce the risk of fraud. Awareness tools such as StopNCII and Sanchar Saathi empower users to detect, report, and prevent cybercrime proactively.
Cyber fraud does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone—any time. That’s why timely reporting during the Golden Hour by dialing 1930, visiting the NCRP portal, or approaching the nearest police station is essential.
Let’s move from being passive users of technology to being active guardians of our digital lives. Let’s not only be safe—let’s be cyber safe.”
He stated, “Online and financial frauds have risen sharply in recent times, posing a serious threat. Lakhs of innocent citizens have fallen victim to these scams. Awareness is the first step toward prevention, and we must adopt an ‘Alert Today, Safe Tomorrow’ approach to safeguard our communities. Let us not fall into the traps set by fraudsters—and let us spread this message to every corner of the nation.”
Speaking on the occasion, a spokesperson from BFL, said,“The financial safety of our consumers is paramount to us. We are constantly issuing online and offline advisories, on social media platforms, as well as through on-ground interactions with citizens, encouraging everyone to be cyber safe.”
Knockout Digital Fraud offers the cyber community valuable safety tips on safeguarding personal and sensitive information. This includes refraining from sharing OTPs, PINs, clicking on suspicious emails, SMSs, links, QR codes and downloading applications from unknown sources. It includes a series of interactive workshops, digital awareness drives, and community outreach programs across major cities and towns.
