CYBERCRIME IN VIRTUAL REALITY: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIAN LAW ENFORCEMENT

AUTHOR – ISHA JOHNSON* & SUGANYA JEBA SAROJINI**

* LAW STUDENT (FINAL YEAR) BA.LLB SCHOOL OF LAW, CHRIST (DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY) LAVASA CAMPUS, PUNE

** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, CHRIST (DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY) LAVASA CAMPUS, PUNE.

BEST CITATION – ISHA JOHNSON & SUGANYA JEBA SAROJINI, CYBERCRIME IN VIRTUAL REALITY: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIAN LAW ENFORCEMENT, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (8) OF 2025, PG. 281-288, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

Virtual reality (VR) has transformed online interaction, establishing interactive communication, entertainment, education, and business spaces. This has created avenues for cybercrime, such as identity theft, financial crimes, online stalking, and data collection without consent. India’s cyber laws, such as the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Indian Penal Code, are ill-equipped to respond to these challenges. Law enforcement authorities are confronted with special challenges in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting crimes that occur in VR spaces because of the jurisdictional complexity of VR platforms and the challenge of obtaining digital evidence.

Virtual reality (VR) is yielding new cyber attacks, such as fraud, harassment, and cybercrime. Financial security, ethical issues, and reputational damage are threatened by these risks. The psychological effects of VR harassment and fake abuse are complicating legal intervention. The government and policymakers must reimagine cyber legislation, incorporate AI-powered security software, and introduce strong compliance policies among VR creators. Policymakers must increase digital content forensic capabilities, impose identity authentication, and enhance global cooperation to counter cross-border cybercrime. Public education campaigns, corporate accountability mechanisms, and ethical design principles must be prioritised to prevent abuse and guarantee digital security.

This Paper discusses India’s legislative limitations towards combating VR cybercrime, proposes modifications, and delves into AI-based moderation, forensic software, and identification authentication. Solutions include VR-oriented cyber law, enhancing forensic expertise, and coordinating development activity with VR developers.

Keywords – VR, Cybercrime, law, Challenges, India.