Greed, Lust & Fear Online! #AAH
Anyone who is watching this video knows that cybercrimes are increasing every single day. We keep hearing deep fake videos, financial scams, blackmails and more. All of this can sound very overwhelming but we need to understand a few basic human emotions that are behind all kinds of crimes/ manipulation. Should we understand these well, we will be safer online or offline.
Greed, lust and fear are the three most basic human emotions. So how do we apply these to identify any red flags?
Greed- is something sounding too good to be true? Then it probably is! Any huge financial gains, easy loans, attractive schemes, quick money-making formula, promise of unbelievable returns, foreign trips as incentive? These are just few examples of greed, there could be many more!
Lust, attraction are base human emotions. But the trigger to blackmail, create revenge porn videos, leak intimate pictures, watch such stuff online all stem from it. Don’t trust anyone with your intimate data and don’t ask for intimate data via internet/ tech devices either. You just don’t know where the data may get compromised, cloud hacked or unintentionally seen by a third party.
All of the abovementioned are being used to create fear in minds of victims. Fear of being shamed, loss of job, loss of reputation, shaming in front of parents, peers! Morphing pictures, leaking intimate content- all done to instill fear in the victim. Blackmail, extortion, silencing the victim are all related to the same emotion- fear.
What are the 4 steps that can help us to safer therefore?
Be Alert- Be skeptical of everything online. Any offer, any person too good to be true should be treated with suspicion. Don’t take people at face value anyways but it’s far worse online as often we don’t get to even meet a person face to face to observe body language. Approach every job offer, dates, meeting matrimonial prospect with caution, do a background check, inform those you trust. Spot the red flags early one with this mindset.
Evaluate- When presented with a situation, prospect online, always evaluate every aspect very carefully. Question if it’s worth it, why are you being offered that, who is involved.
Evidence- Should you still be a victim, first gather evidence. We panic and delete stuff; we want to wish it away but that doesn’t help. We have to gather every bit of evidence. Screenshots, recordings, urls, call records. Remember that victims are being held to emotion of shame and fear. But if you need resolution all evidence Is crucial.
Report- Non-negotiable. Don’t let any criminal get away as they will commit more crimes and you will live with fear and shame. Will my picture still get leaked, oh my God will they ever tell my parents and more.
Hope we have helped some understanding of the psychological aspects of crime. Do delve deeper into the same.
Stay Aware, Stay Safe.
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!
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ABOUT ‘AKANCHA AGAINST HARASSMENT’
‘Akancha Against Harassment’ is India’s largest social impact initiative against cyber harassment. It was founded by Miss Akancha Srivastava in February 2017. It’s a not-for-profit Section 8 organization.
Honorary Board of advisors
Foundation’s advisory board hosts – Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chattisgarh), ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh), ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra), Dr Poonam Verma (Principal- SSCBS, Delhi University)
Goals of this initiative
The initiative aims at Education, Empowerment & Bridging of general population with the authorities.
Support of the Indian Police for the initiative
Bridging is the most unique attribute of the initiative. We have a host of over 70+ senior police officers from across the country supporting us in content & awareness drive.
This unique strength helps us address any victim complaints that come to us as well as inform people about various measures of law enforcement across the country.
Multilingual AI Chat helpline for cyber safety
We run India’s only functional private national multilingual AI chat helpline for cyber safety. This helpline is currently available in Hindi & English on our website. It can be accessed from any internet enabled device. You can chat here anonymously, fearlessly.