A specialized session on “Cyber Crime Awareness and Digital Safety” was organized today at  Padre Conceicao College of Engineering to educate students and faculty about the growing threats in the digital world. The session was conducted by the distinguished Police Inspector Deepak Pednekar, In-charge of the Cyber Crime Police Station, Raibandar, Goa.

​Profile of the Resource Person:

Inspector Pednekar is a veteran of the Goa Police Department with over 24 years of service. A recipient of the DGP Insignia Medal (2017) and the prestigious “India Cyber Cop of the Year” (2025) award by the Data Security Council of India, he brings a unique blend of law enforcement experience and technical expertise, holding a Professional Diploma in Software Engineering.

​Key Highlights of the Session- The session began with an overview of the current cybercrime landscape in Goa. PI Pednekar highlighted that under his tenure, Goa was ranked No. 1 in Cyber Case Reporting in India as of June 2025, a statistic that reflects both the rise in digital adoption and the success of the state’s awareness campaigns.

​He focused on the following critical areas:

​Emerging Threats: Detailed insights into complex digital crimes, with a specific focus on Investment Fraud and Matrimonial Scams were provided, thereby warning the audience about the psychological manipulation tactics used by fraudsters.

​”Cyber Surakshit Goen”: He introduced the audience to this flagship campaign, sharing success stories of how awareness programs for vulnerable groups—including senior citizens and women—have prevented financial loss.

​Institutional Collaboration: He discussed his work with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and central agencies to combat financial fraud, urging students to be the first line of defence in their own families.

​The session was highly interactive, with students engaging Inspector Pednekar in a Q&A session regarding data privacy and social media safety. The event concluded with a vote of thanks, acknowledging Inspector Pednekar’s role in authoring the police training syllabus and his tireless efforts to keep Goa safe in the digital age.

​The talk served as a timely reminder that in a connected world, awareness is the best firewall.