19 October 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Kamal Haasan and director Shankar’s film Indian 2 has drawn attention to a growing problem in the digital age: online scams that target people who may be less familiar with modern technology. The film’s themes around corruption, social responsibility and the misuse of technology have sparked discussions about how easily people can be manipulated by misleading online messages, fraudulent offers and deceptive digital content.
The term “boomer uncles” is often used informally on social media to describe older men who may struggle to distinguish genuine online information from misinformation or scams. However, falling for internet fraud is not limited to a particular age group. People of different ages and levels of education can become victims when scammers use convincing stories, emotional pressure or sophisticated technology to gain their trust.
How Online Scams Exploit Trust
Internet scams often succeed because criminals understand human behaviour. Rather than relying only on technical tricks, fraudsters use urgency, fear, excitement and the promise of financial rewards to persuade people to act before checking the facts.
A person might receive a message claiming that their bank account will be blocked unless they immediately update their details. Another may be offered an investment opportunity promising unusually high returns. Fraudsters can also impersonate government officials, bank employees, relatives or well-known companies to make their claims appear genuine.
These tactics can affect older internet users who are unfamiliar with certain digital practices. However, even experienced smartphone users can be deceived when a message appears to come from a trusted source.
Why Older Users May Be More Vulnerable
For some older adults, the rapid shift towards online banking, digital payments and social media has created challenges. They may have extensive life experience but less familiarity with newer online security practices, including identifying suspicious links, checking website addresses and recognising manipulated images or videos.
Scammers can exploit this knowledge gap by presenting fake information in a professional-looking format. A fraudulent message may include official-looking logos, copied photographs or language designed to create confidence.
Social media platforms can make the problem worse when misleading claims spread through family groups and personal networks. People may be more likely to trust information forwarded by someone they know, even when the original source is unknown.
Nevertheless, age alone does not determine whether someone will fall for a scam. Digital literacy, social circumstances, financial pressure and the specific tactics used by criminals all influence vulnerability.
The Role of Misinformation and Viral Content
Online misinformation can spread rapidly because social media rewards content that attracts attention and emotional reactions. Messages that create fear, outrage or excitement may be shared widely before users have checked whether the information is accurate.
Fraudsters also take advantage of the familiarity people develop with digital platforms. Fake customer-care numbers, fraudulent shopping websites, impersonation accounts and edited videos can appear authentic at first glance.
With artificial intelligence increasingly being used to create realistic images, voices and videos, identifying fraudulent content may become more difficult. A voice message that sounds like a family member or a video featuring a familiar public figure should not automatically be treated as genuine when money or sensitive information is involved.
What Indian 2 Adds to the Conversation
Indian 2, featuring Kamal Haasan and directed by Shankar, revisits themes of corruption, accountability and the responsibility of citizens to challenge wrongdoing. Although the film is not a substitute for practical digital-safety education, its broader social commentary can encourage audiences to think critically about the information they consume and the decisions they make.
The discussion surrounding the film also reflects a wider cultural question: why do people sometimes believe questionable claims even when warning signs are present? The answer often lies in a combination of trust, emotional influence, limited verification and the persuasive methods used by those spreading the information.
The lesson is not that older people are incapable of understanding technology. Instead, it highlights the importance of making digital safety accessible to everyone, regardless of age or technical experience.
Simple Steps to Avoid Internet Scams
People can reduce their risk by taking a few practical precautions. Suspicious messages should be verified through official websites or independently obtained contact details. Users should avoid clicking unknown links, sharing one-time passwords or PINs, and installing applications at the request of unfamiliar callers.
Investment opportunities promising guaranteed or unusually high returns should be treated with caution. Before transferring money, users should independently verify the recipient and the legitimacy of the offer.
Families can also help older relatives by explaining common scam tactics without embarrassing or blaming them. Encouraging people to pause, ask questions and verify information can be more effective than simply telling them not to trust everything online.
In India, suspected cybercrime can be reported through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. People who have lost money to an online financial scam should contact the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 as quickly as possible and notify their bank.
Ultimately, online fraud is not simply a problem of age or intelligence. It is a problem of trust being exploited through increasingly convincing digital methods. The conversation inspired by Indian 2 offers an opportunity to focus on awareness, verification and responsible internet use rather than stereotypes about older generations.