Bhopal Residents Lose ₹15 Crore to Cyber Fraud in 7 Months

Residents of Bhopal have lost a staggering amount of over ₹15 crore to cyber fraudsters in the last seven months. This has been revealed by the official data which shows that 265 cyber fraud FIRs have been registered at local police stations during this period.

The cyber police cell officers have admitted that cyber crime has emerged as a major menace in the city, with complaints rising steadily and fraudsters targeting citizens across all age groups. The victims include people from all walks of life, with senior citizens being the most vulnerable.

The e-Zero FIR system, which was formally launched last year, has been instrumental in bringing relief to the victims. This system allows complaints to be lodged through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or the 1930 cyber helpline, enabling FIRs to be initiated digitally. The system has simplified the process of registering FIRs, as victims no longer have to make repeated visits to police stations.

According to cyber police officials, almost every second person using a smartphone, the internet or social media is being targeted by fraudsters. The fraudsters usually target senior citizens on the pretext of updating pension accounts, electricity disconnections, fake investment schemes or digital arrest scams. Other scams involve job frauds, online sextortion, KYC update scams, APK malware, social media account hacking, OTP fraud and QR code scams.

Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar has stated that regular cyber awareness programmes are being conducted to educate the public about the dangers of cyber crime. He also ensured that cyber crime investigations remain a priority. The victims can also directly approach the local police station, where an FIR is registered in such cases.

The e-Zero FIR system works by allowing the victim to register a complaint through the 1930 helpline or the NCRP portal. In cases involving fraud of more than ₹25,000, the data is directly transmitted to the State Cyber Crime Headquarters. Through the CCTNS server, the complaint is automatically converted into an e-Zero FIR, and the victim is immediately provided with an e-Zero FIR number. The case is then reviewed by the State Cyber Police Station and forwarded to the concerned police station.

The rise in cyber crime cases in Bhopal is a cause for concern, and the police are taking steps to tackle this menace. The public is also being urged to be vigilant and cautious when using the internet and social media, and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately.

In conclusion, the loss of over ₹15 crore to cyber fraud in just seven months is a staggering amount, and it highlights the need for increased awareness and vigilance among the public. The police are working to tackle this issue, and it is essential that the public cooperates with them to prevent such crimes from happening in the future.

The city of Bhopal has seen a significant rise in cyber crime cases, and it is essential that the residents take necessary precautions to protect themselves from such scams. The police are doing their part, but it is also important for the public to be aware of the dangers of cyber crime and to take steps to prevent it.

The cyber police cell is working tirelessly to investigate these cases and to bring the perpetrators to justice. The public can also play a crucial role in preventing cyber crime by being cautious when using the internet and social media, and by reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately.

In the end, it is a collective effort that is required to tackle the menace of cyber crime. The police, the public, and the government all need to work together to prevent such crimes from happening and to bring the perpetrators to justice.