Awareness to help prevent online fraud: Panchkula cops
In view of a spurt in cyber crime cases, the Panchkula Police have turned to holding seminars in schools, besides making elderly people and Army personnel aware of online frauds.
The police have registered 156 cases of cyber crime in the last 334 days this year and arrested 90 criminals. As per data shared by the office online, the department has prepared chargesheets against the criminals in only 27 of the cases registered this year.
The officials conducted a special drive at the local Brilliance World School in Sector 12 on Wednesday. Cyber Crime police station incharge Munish Kumar, in his opening remarks, said, “Cyber crime is at its peak these days. People are being cheated with new ways every day. There is a need to make people aware to check this menace as criminals are using internet to dupe gullible people. Students should also be aware of cyber frauds and spread awareness.”
The police officials advised the students to take precautions regarding frauds committed through barcodes, fake websites, UPI payments, SIM cards, ATM cards and honey traps on social networking sites.
One case every 2 days
The police have registered 156 cases of cyber crime in Panchkula district alone this year. This comes down to around one case registered every two days.
As per the officials, they have arrested 90 individuals in connection with different cyber crime cases. Panchkula ASP manpreet Singh Sudan said the arrested individuals had been nabbed and brought from different states, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab.
Investigation process
Sudan said on receiving a complaint the police check and verify bank details of the complainant. The transactions are then tracked down to recipients. “People get duped through Instagram, Telegram and other social networking sites in the name of work from home, stock market investments, etc. Some are fooled in the name of digital arrest wherein scammers pose as police officials and demand money from gullible people.”
Raids follow investigation
SI Pardeep Rana who works at the city’s Cyber Crime police station said in many cases the key accused had been found sitting abroad. “They use bank accounts of residents who sell these details for small amount of money. The scammers use such accounts to transfer money taken from other people’s bank accounts. They would then transfer the money to their own abroad. The department has been carrying out investigations and nabbed accused from all across the country,” he said.
ASP Manpreet Singh Sudan said looking at the number of cases, the police had started carrying out awareness drives.
He said, “We prepare a weekly plan and spread awareness among people on the basis of footfall and ask them not to share their important information. We are carrying out drives in schools and public places with the help of resident welfare associations, college students and others. We are also spreading the message on preventive measures for people through our social media handles."
