Organised by the Department of Commerce, UG (Afternoon & Evening Section)
Convenor: Mrs. Arundhati Dinesh Mundhra
Organising Secretary: Mr. Saikat Nandy
Date: 21st May 2025
Venue: Concept Hall
Time: 4:00 PM
The Student Activities Committee (Afternoon and Evening Section) of the Department of Commerce proudly hosted an invited talk and participatory discussion titled “Decoding Cyber Defence in the Virtual Age” on the 21st of May 2025. The event aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of cyber threats and equip them with practical strategies to safeguard themselves in the digital era.
The session opened with a warm welcome by Mrs. Arundhati Dinesh Mundhra, setting a convivial and engaging atmosphere. This was followed by the opening address from Prof. Dilip Shah, Rector and Dean of Student Affairs, who stressed the growing importance of cyber vigilance and digital literacy for all.
The keynote speaker, Sri Sourav Bhattacharjee, Officer-in-Charge of the Cyber Crime Police Station, Kolkata Police, Lalbazar, was honoured by Prof. Atreyee Ganguly and Prof. Subhendu Banerjee, senior faculty members of the department. As a mark of respect, Mr. Saspo Chakraborty (Vice Principal, Department of Commerce Afternoon & Evening Section) presented Sri Bhattacharjee with an uttariya.
Sri Bhattacharjee captivated the audience with vivid examples from real cybercrime cases. One highlighted case involved a fraudulent network on the Tinder app, where scammers conned users by gaining their trust and then extorting money. He cautioned participants against relying on investment tips or financial advice circulated through WhatsApp or other social media channels, as such messages often mask fraudulent schemes that can lead to significant monetary loss.
A particularly alarming issue Sri Bhattacharjee elaborated on was the “WhatsApp Digital Arrest” scam. In this scheme, fraudsters impersonate government officials or law enforcement agents and contact unsuspecting individuals through WhatsApp, falsely informing them that they have been arrested for alleged illegal activities. Exploiting fear and confusion, the scammers coerce victims into sharing personal details and paying hefty sums to “resolve” the fabricated charges. This growing threat underscores the necessity for awareness and caution when receiving unexpected communications from unknown sources.
Following the presentation, the floor was opened for an interactive session. Students actively engaged with the speaker, raising pertinent questions about identifying scams and best practices for cyber safety. The lively discussion allowed participants to clarify doubts and deepen their understanding of digital security.
The event was formally concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Debdutta Sen, senior faculty member of the department, who extended heartfelt thanks to the organizing committee, the resource person, participants and everyone who contributed to the success of the program.
Following this, a feedback form was shared with the students through QR. They also received participation certificates and refreshments.
Overall, about 140 students returned home significantly empowered with enhanced awareness of cybercrime, as the talk reinforced the importance of prudent digital behaviour, urging students to navigate the virtual world with greater confidence and security.