Cybercrime Surges: Pune Police Takes Measures to Combat Online Frauds

Pune, 12th April 2024: The prevalence of cybercrime is on the rise, with millions of rupees being swindled through various online scams. Incidents of task fraud, FedEx fraud, courier scams, cryptocurrency scams, stock market frauds, and scams impersonating central and state agencies have seen a significant uptick. The cyber police have been inundated with hundreds of complaints from victims falling prey to these deceptive practices.

Taking cognizance of the alarming trend, the cyber police are taking proactive measures by initiating investigations and filing cases against perpetrators. Additionally, the Pune Police is set to establish a state-of-the-art cyber lab to analyze trends and reels circulated on social media platforms. The lab will incorporate an ‘e-office’ system to streamline complaint processing and classification based on fraud type, ensuring efficient assignment to relevant desks.

Shailesh Balakawde, Additional Commissioner of the Crime Branch, disclosed plans to provide training to police personnel at both the station and cyber police levels. The training will include benchmark tests to assess investigation capabilities, aiming to enhance proficiency in handling cybercrimes effectively.

Presently, the cyber police station of the Pune city police handles cyber complaints and online fraud cases. However, due to the surge in complaints and workload, adequate manpower remains a challenge. With only 38 employees, including seven Police Sub-Inspectors and one Police Inspector, the need for additional resources to combat cybercrime is evident.

To address the growing volume of cybercrimes, the police have begun training sessions for junior officers and employees at police stations and cyber police stations. The training will focus on equipping personnel with the necessary skills to investigate cybercrimes efficiently. Moreover, an ‘e-office’ system will be implemented to facilitate the filing of cybercrime complaints, streamlining the process for both citizens and law enforcement.

The ‘e-office’ system will feature five desks for categorizing complaints and assigning them to relevant departments promptly. Each application will be stamped and assigned a unique complaint number, ensuring systematic tracking and follow-up. Additionally, the system will generate token numbers and IDs based on the nature of the complaint, enhancing transparency and accountability in the investigation process.

Furthermore, a panel of cyber experts comprising professionals from major cities like Mumbai and Pune will be formed to assist the police in cybercrime investigations and provide expert guidance. The panel, consisting of around 30 members, will include experts from state and central agencies to bolster the fight against cybercrime.

In light of the escalating cyber threats, Add CP Balakawde emphasized the importance of citizen awareness and cautioned against falling victim to cybercrimes. He reiterated the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat cyber threats effectively through enhanced training, infrastructure development, and expert collaboration.