Pune Police Recovers ₹80 Lakh In Cyber Frauds Using Tech-Driven Policing

Pune City Police have successfully recovered ₹80.27 lakh in cyber frauds using advanced digital investigation platforms. The police have been working in coordination with Maharashtra Cyber, Mumbai, and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), New Delhi to curb cyber crimes.

The initiative, known as PRAGATI, aims to ensure faster investigations, more efficient recovery of defrauded funds, and improved public service delivery. Under this initiative, the police are using multiple technology-driven portals to investigate cyber offences and assist victims.

One of the key platforms used by the police is the Money Restoration Module (MRM), which has helped resolve 2,538 cyber fraud complaints. The MRM has enabled the recovery and return of ₹80.27 lakh to victims through coordination with banks and financial institutions.

For high-value cyber fraud cases, the E-Zero FIR Portal allows immediate registration of Zero FIRs for financial frauds involving more than ₹5 lakh, irrespective of jurisdiction. Between July 1, 2026, and July 31, 2026, Pune Police received 27 E-Zero FIR complaints, all of which have been formally registered.

The Grievance Redressal Module (GRM) has also streamlined the process of unfreezing bank accounts that were mistakenly blocked during cyber investigations. Pune Police said 94.99 per cent of the complaints received through the portal have been resolved.

To improve interstate coordination, the SAMANVAY Portal is being used to share intelligence and maintain records of cyber offenders. Since 2024, Pune Police have arrested 152 accused in cybercrime cases, with all their details uploaded to the portal for nationwide access by investigating agencies.

The police have also successfully used the SAHYOG Portal to remove objectionable online content, taking down 845 obscene or offensive posts and links. Additionally, the Cyber Investigation Assistance Request (CIAR) Portal has been used to process 1,751 requests related to investigations originating from other states and issue notices to suspects based in Pune.

As part of Operation Mule Hunt, launched based on intelligence received from I4C and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, Pune Police have mapped bank accounts used to receive fraudulent funds and have so far registered 132 cases against suspected money mule account holders. The operation will continue in the coming months.

The success of Pune Police's tech-driven policing initiative is a significant step forward in the fight against cyber crimes. The use of advanced digital platforms has enabled the police to recover a substantial amount of money and resolve a large number of complaints. This initiative is likely to serve as a model for other cities in India to follow.

The recovery of ₹80.27 lakh in cyber frauds is a notable achievement, and it highlights the importance of using technology to combat cyber crimes. The police's efforts to improve interstate coordination and share intelligence with other agencies will also help to prevent and investigate cyber crimes more effectively.

In conclusion, the Pune Police's tech-driven policing initiative has been successful in recovering a significant amount of money and resolving a large number of cyber fraud complaints. The use of advanced digital platforms has enabled the police to work more efficiently and effectively, and it is likely to have a positive impact on the fight against cyber crimes in India.