Bridging the Digital Literacy Divide: A Comparative Assessment of Financial Fraud Prevention Interventions in Urban and Rural Rajasthan

Abstract

This comparative research evaluates the effectiveness of online financial literacy programs in reducing online financial fraud in both rural and urban settings in Rajasthan in a mixed-methods research design that controls 300 participants. These results shed light on significant differences in digital financial literacy 68.3% in urban locations and 42.7% in rural settings and differentiated intervention effectiveness scores (7.2/10 in the city and 4.8/10 in the country). Though risk of being exposed to fraud is also equal between these groups, the victimization rate is also twice as high in the rural cohort (37% compared to 18%). Regression analyses also indicate that 64% of the literacy variation is due to socioeconomic variables (such as education, income, and access to technology). Of vital importance is the fact that the data highlight the greater effectiveness of culturally modified interventions, specifically, vernacular language programs and community-based approaches in rural areas. The study also defines critical gaps in knowledge in relation to the area of fraud recognition as well as online security practices and reporting mechanisms. Subsequently, according to these evidence-based understandings, our proposal is context-specific intervention design, strategic infrastructure investments, multilingual content development, as well as multi-stakeholder partnerships development. These have the potential to align the digital divide and enhance fraud prevention capabilities among the region diverse population.