This festive season has witnessed a significant rise in cyber fraud cases in India, with reports indicating a nearly 40% increase in attacks, largely attributed to AI-driven tools. Individuals are becoming targets of personalized scams, as exemplified by a Mumbai content writer who was deceived through a fraudulent request for payment disguised under her roommate’s likeness. Experts note that these sophisticated scams leverage machine learning to create contextually relevant phishing messages that exploit recent search patterns. The implications are profound, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures as the festive period intensifies online activities and consumer spending, underscoring the vulnerability of individuals in an increasingly digital landscape.