The recent crackdown on cybercrime by the police has led to the arrest of 27 individuals involved in 12 different cases. A total of Rs 4.95 lakh in cash was seized from the accused, and an additional Rs 32,199 in their bank accounts was frozen. During this period, Rs 6.32 lakh was also refunded to the victims of these crimes.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cybercrime) Abhimanyu Goyat provided details on the arrests, stating that the cases were registered at various cyber police stations including Central, NIT, and Ballabhgarh. The accused were apprehended from different states such as Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
The resolved cases were distributed among the cyber police stations, with five cases handled by Ballabhgarh, four by Central, and three by NIT cyber cell. A total of 104 complaints were addressed, leading to refunds totaling Rs 6,32,999 during the investigative process.
Goyat highlighted the deceptive tactics used by the accused to scam their victims, which included offering fake investment opportunities with high returns, posing as customer care representatives to send fraudulent links and OTPs, and engaging in blackmail through obscene videos. They also demanded payments using QR codes or UPI and manipulated victims into sharing OTPs by pretending to be bank officials.
Furthermore, the scammers resorted to sending fake messages regarding payment or clearance of utility and property tax bills. Goyat advised the public to refrain from sharing personal or account information over the phone and to be cautious when downloading links from unverified sources.
In light of these incidents, individuals who fall victim to cybercrime are encouraged to report the crimes immediately through the helpline 1930 or on cybercrime.gov.in. Swift reporting plays a crucial role in freezing the accounts of cybercriminals and expediting the refund process for the victims.
Overall, the police’s efforts to combat cybercrime have resulted in multiple arrests and substantial refunds for the victims. The public is reminded to stay vigilant and cautious while navigating the digital landscape to avoid falling prey to such scams in the future.