My name is Kumari Lakshmi, and I am one of the 112 victims who have come together to seek justice after falling prey to an investment scam that has shattered our lives. Each one of us has been cheated of our hard-earned money, deceived by promises that lured us into a trap of cyber deceit. What is perhaps the most distressing is the delay in obtaining justice, with our petition for recovery languishing in the legal system since July 2024, awaiting a favorable order in the Delhi High Court.

This is not just a personal tragedy—it is a blatant failure of safeguarding citizens in the Digital Bharat era. While the vision of a digital India promises advancement, it lacks the necessary vigilance to protect its citizens against cyber fraud. We are being blamed for the system's failures and lapses, and yet, there is an echoing silence on accountability from organisations and authorities

The magnitude of cyberfraud incidents is not negligible. According to a report by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), over 2 lakh cybercrime incidents were reported in India in 2023 alone. 

In 2024, cyber crime in India surged significantly and reported financial losses reaching approximately Rs 22,845 crore a 206 % increase from 2023.

Many victims, much like us, wait indefinitely for justice, leaving their faith in the legal system waning.

We urge the Delhi High Court to prioritise the hearing of our petition. Justice delayed is justice denied. Prompt action is necessary not only for our personal recovery but also for reinstating trust in the process for thousands of others.

We also call upon the government to further the Digital Bharat campaign with robust digital security policies that include stringent measures against cyber fraud.

This will ensure that such traumas are avoided in the future, insulating citizens from financial devastation.

Join us in this fight for justice. We need your support to show that we will not stand for being victims of systemic oversight. Please sign the petition for swift justice and systemic change to prevent future victimisation in the digital realm.

In January 2024, I fell victim to a devastating investment scam, losing lakhs of my hard-earned money. As an educated taxpayer, I never imagined that such a thing could happen to me, but my experience has highlighted the glaring inadequacies in the current banking system and the legal framework intended to protect us from such fraud.

Investment scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, yet banks seem to remain ill-equipped to protect their customers from these threats. The fact is, banks have inadvertently supported cyber fraud through a lack of stringent checks and a reactive approach to emerging online threats. This negligence leaves educated and responsible citizens vulnerable to financial ruin.

Additionally, the response from law enforcement has been disheartening, as cyber fraud often crosses multiple state and international jurisdictions, complicating efforts to bring perpetrators to justice. Our current laws are weak and ineffective, enabling scammers to easily obtain bail and evade serious punishment.

It's clear that the current system needs immediate reform to prevent these crimes and protect people's savings.

We urgently need comprehensive legislative reform to address these failings. This reform should include stricter regulations for banks, ensuring they take proactive measures to verify investments and detect suspicious activities. Furthermore, international cooperation and coordinated efforts between state and national law enforcement agencies must be strengthened to effectively tackle cross-border fraud.

We also need harsher penalties for cyber criminals to deter potential offenders and ensure justice for victims. By implementing these solutions, we can create a safer financial environment for everyone.

I urge lawmakers and banking institutions to recognize the seriousness of this issue and take immediate action. Please join me in demanding change by signing this petition. Let us protect our futures and ensure that no one else has to endure the injustice I have suffered.

Please sign today to stand against cyber fraud and bank negligence.