Women are the main targets of the 148% increase in cybercrimes
According to data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), the number of cybercrimes in the state has skyrocketed by 148%, from 9,619 in 2022 to 23,748 in 2023.
Thiruvananthapuram: According to data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), the number of cybercrimes in the state has skyrocketed by 148%, from 9,619 in 2022 to 23,748 in 2023. The number of cases reached 31,019 by the middle of 2024, continuing the upward trend. The state's cyber division claims that women are specifically targeted because scammers tend to believe that they are less tech-savvy. May and June saw a rise in cyberfraud instances, which prompted law enforcement to step up efforts to prevent these crimes.
In reaction, the state police have closed 29,020 "mule accounts" that were used in fraudulent schemes, disabled 14,293 devices connected to fraud, and deactivated 12,658 mobile SIM cards. Over 9,000 social media profiles linked to frauds, 5,37 unapproved loan applications, and 18,200 bogus websites have all been removed as a result of cyber patrolling activities.
According to SP (Cyber Operations) Hari Sankar, almost 70% of cases this year include significant financial losses as a result of online investment frauds. Emerging scam tendencies include "digital arrests" and "law enforcement officer fraud," in which con artists pose as representatives of organizations like the CBI or Narcotics Control Bureau in order to trick victims into sending money under false pretenses.
The police are creating a cryptocurrency investigation center at Kochi Cyberdome and assembling a special team of 355 officers to tackle the intricacies of contemporary cybercrime. The "Cyberwall" project also seeks to inform the public about cyberthreats by providing resources for self-defense through the use of AI capabilities. With 4,697 police trained in cyber investigation and prevention, ongoing training efforts have been increased and they are now more prepared to handle the growing risks posed by cyberspace.
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