Bandhan Bank launches Cyber Cop CSR campaign with Rohit Shetty to combat cyber fraud

KOLKATA: Fighting cybercrime is getting a blockbuster twist. Bandhan Bank has launched ‘Cyber Cop’, a nationwide cyber awareness campaign under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, partnering with filmmaker Rohit Shetty to encourage safer digital behaviour amid a surge in online fraud.

The campaign seeks to educate citizens on recognising and responding to cyber scams through films, awareness messaging and public outreach. At its core is a simple call to action: “Pause. Verify. Report.”

The initiative also encourages victims and potential targets of cybercrime to report incidents through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and the government’s 1930 cybercrime helpline.

The campaign comes as cyber fraud continues to rise sharply across India. According to government-linked data cited by the bank, reported losses through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal reached around Rs 22,495 crore in 2025, with more than 24 lakh complaints registered during the year.

By bringing Rohit Shetty on board, Bandhan Bank aims to leverage the filmmaker’s popular “cop universe” to make cyber safety messaging more relatable and accessible. The campaign highlights that while criminals may no longer always operate on the streets, they are increasingly targeting people through smartphones, emails and digital payment platforms.

Speaking on the initiative, Bandhan Bank spokesperson said, “Cyber fraud is one of the most pressing challenges in India’s digital ecosystem. With ‘Cyber Cop’, we aim to build awareness that helps people pause before they act, verify before they trust, and report promptly.”

The bank said the CSR initiative is intended to strengthen public awareness and help individuals make safer decisions while using digital financial services, rather than focusing solely on banking customers.

Cyber Cop is presented by Hindustan Times and implemented by Aident Social Welfare Organisation. The campaign will focus on awareness, responsible digital practices and timely reporting of cyber fraud.

The launch also reflects the growing role of financial institutions in promoting cyber literacy as digital banking adoption accelerates across the country. With online transactions becoming a part of everyday life, banks are increasingly complementing technology investments with consumer education to help reduce the risk of fraud.

Bandhan Bank currently operates more than 6,350 banking outlets across 35 states and Union territories. As of March 31, 2026, the bank served nearly 3.2 crore customers, with deposits of Rs 1.66 lakh crore and advances exceeding Rs 1.54 lakh crore.