Business EconomyPosted at: Jun 7 2026 10:45PM


'Everything is Fair' book on tackling cybercriminals released

Pune, June 7 (UNI) A timely tell-it-all book on the ways cybercriminals operate was released by veteran business journalist Sucheta Dalal here on Sunday.
"A 'digital arrest' is not merely financial fraud; it is a highly organized method of creating an atmosphere of fear in the victim's mind, taking psychological control of them, and luring even educated citizens into a trap," said Sucheta Dalal who has spent almost a lifetime as a writer in the country's financial capital.
Dalal noted that while many technical and legal books and research papers on cybercrime and digital arrest are available, the banker Shashank Wagh's book 'Everything is Fair' stands out because it presents the issue in the form of a gripping, fast-paced novel.
Dalal noted that while many technical and legal books and research papers on cybercrime and digital arrest are available, Wagh's book stands out because it presents the issue in the form of a gripping, fast-paced novel. The main character, "Gundya Bhau," is a retired bank officer who is highly aware of cyber fraud. His children also regularly warn him to stay alert. Yet he falls victim to a clever cybercriminal's digital arrest scam.
Dalal expressed confidence that cyber threats can be communicated far more effectively to ordinary readers through an engaging story than through dry technical warnings. Analyzing why people become so frightened by a simple phone call and end up transferring millions of rupees to criminals despite having done nothing wrong, Dalal referred to the way the human brain functions.
She explained that cybercriminals deliberately create intense fear and panic in the minds of victims. In such situations, a person's ability to think rationally and make sound decisions is severely impaired. "The criminals do not merely place a phone call; they stage convincing scenarios, often impersonating corrupt police officers and lawyers. During video calls, they may display realistic backgrounds such as courtrooms, the website of the Supreme Court, and even individuals posing as judges. This allows them to gain complete psychological control over the victim. Victims are then kept in 'digital custody', prevented from speaking to anyone else, while their bank accounts are emptied."
Dalal also pointed to the country's complex legal system. She said that people are aware that the judicial process can be slow and expensive. Even innocent individuals fear that if they are falsely implicated in cases involving money laundering, drugs, or human trafficking, they could spend 20 to 25 years navigating court proceedings to prove their innocence. This fear is especially prevalent among educated citizens.
She further warned that cybercrime is no longer limited to digital arrest scams. With the help of generative artificial intelligence (AI), cybercriminals are cloning people's voices and faces using photos and videos obtained from Facebook and other social media platforms. Dalal emphasized that cybercriminals are often several steps ahead of law enforcement agencies. Therefore, citizens must remain vigilant and learn from quality literature such as Wagh's novel. The event was chaired by political thinker Dr. Medha Kulkarni.
In her presidential address, Dr. Medha Kulkarni stated that cybercrime is no longer merely an economic issue but has become a serious social problem. While governments have established strict laws and mechanisms to combat cybercrime, society must overcome both fear and indifference regarding the issue. She said that novels like Everything Is Fair play an important role in public awareness and deserve a place in every home and library.
Cybersecurity expert Dr. Dhananjay Deshpande said that cybercriminals exploit not only technology but also human emotions such as fear, temptation, and urgency. He stressed that everyone should follow the principle of "verify first, then transact" when operating in the digital world. He added that the novel would help readers understand the darker side of cyberspace.
Shirish Deshpande suggested that the government should use artificial intelligence to combat cybercrime. He also urged citizens to immediately inform the police and banking authorities if a cybercrime occurs, to use social media responsibly, and to adopt self-protection as a guiding principle.
Author Shashank Wagh said that during his long career in banking, he witnessed many innocent people lose their life savings after falling into cyber traps. He felt that presenting the issue through a compelling story would be more impactful than writing a technical guide on cyber regulations. The primary objective behind the novel, he said, is both to engage readers and to make them more cautious. UNI SP CDS
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