Kol cops’ anti-fraud campaign reaches Archbishop’s home
Times of India | 18 January 2026
Kolkata: In the first such effort ever, the Kolkata Police cyber cell conducted a cyber-awareness programme at the Archbishop's residence last week. The campaign, which was held primarily to raise awareness among priests and nuns, had a much larger purpose of reaching out to a larger audience through them, said senior cops at Lalbazar.
Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Kolkata, Father Moloy D'Costa, said: "The programme was held to raise awareness among priests and nuns. We all use smartphones, but we are not always aware of many things involving cyber safety and cyber hygiene. They were advised to conduct similar programmes in schools for students as well as their parents."
"The basic aim was to empower the community with essential digital safety insights. The ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Safety Section' of the cyber cell of Kolkata Police conducted this programme. The programme focused on creating awareness about the latest and trending cyber frauds while guiding participants on safe online practices, responsible use of smart gadgets, and effective ways to protect personal and financial information in the digital world," DCP (Cyber) Abhishek Modi wrote on the Kolkata Police X platform.
"With the presence of Archbishop Elias Frank and dignitaries from various schools and organisations, the session witnessed enthusiastic participation and meaningful interactions. Through education and vigilance, we continue to strengthen our defence against online threats and work towards building a safer digital community for all," Modi added.
Father Moloy D'Costa said, "During the programme, they discussed issues such as hacking, financial fraud, digital arrest scams, and the changing nature of cybercrime. There were some important takeaways," he added.
Sources said the necessity for such a camp was felt back in 2024 when the phones belonging to 2 Sisters were reportedly hacked. "A Nigerian group sent them a link asking them to join on WhatsApp, and when they clicked it, their phones were hacked. Most schools now conduct much of their communication through WhatsApp groups, including sending links for online meetings and classes. Keeping this in view, the awareness programme was conducted," said an organiser.
D'Costa stated that they are planning to hold such programmes frequently across multiple platforms to keep everyone updated on recent cyber threats and the precautions needed to stay safe. The police are now also getting calls from corporates to hold similar sessions for their employees too.