Bijnor Police Use Instagram Reels to Fight Cyber Fraud

Police in Bijnor, India are fighting cyber criminals with an unexpected weapon: catchy rap songs and dance reels on Instagram.

The agricultural district has become a target for online scammers who prey on wealthy farmers, jewelers, and business owners. Instead of traditional public service announcements, Superintendent of Police Abhishek and his team partnered with local social media influencers to create entertaining videos that teach people how to spot fraud.

The campaign features short reels with original rap songs filmed at local landmarks like the Dhampur railway station. Each video breaks down specific scam tactics, from fake loan offers to fraudsters posing as friends and family on WhatsApp.

"We turned to Instagram reels, a popular timepass among people these days," SP Abhishek explained. The team spent 10 days creating the first viral video with influencer Gulfam, carefully scripting content to address real fraud methods reported on the National Cyber Reporting Platform.

The police department writes all the scripts themselves, ensuring accurate information reaches viewers. The reels show exactly how scammers operate through phone calls, text messages, and social media, then encourage victims to contact authorities immediately.

The Ripple Effect

The campaign reaches far beyond Instagram. Police are displaying the videos on 40 large LED screens across the district at railway stations, movie theaters, busy intersections, and religious institutions.

A survey of nearly 20,000 users in late December revealed the strategy is working. About 90% of respondents said the videos helped them recognize and avoid cyber fraud attempts.

The district received 329 fraud complaints last month alone, but authorities believe the real number of prevented scams is much higher. By meeting people where they already spend time scrolling, police are turning casual social media users into informed defenders against cybercrime.

The videos live on YouTube, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), spreading awareness across multiple platforms. What started as a local solution in one Indian district now offers a blueprint for police departments worldwide trying to protect communities in the digital age.