New Delhi: The government told Lok Sabha about the efforts against cyber fraud and digital harassment amid rising cybercrime cases in India on 3 December. These initiatives include the blocking of fraudulent SIM cards, the identification and blocking of Skype IDs, as well as WhatsApp accounts linked to cyber scams.
According to the details presented in the parliament, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) records showed that a total of 17,470 cases of cyber fraud were registered only in 2022, reflecting a concerning trend in online criminal activities.
These cases include:
- Credit/Debit Card Frauds: 1,665 cases
- ATM Frauds: 1690
- Online Banking Frauds: 6491 cases
- OTP Frauds: 2910 cases
- Other Frauds: 4714 cases
Government Measures to Combat Cybercrime
According to the Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar stated that to address these challenges, the Ministry of Home Affairs has undertaken multiple initiatives under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). Key measures include:
- Infrastructure Development:
Establishment of the National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (Investigation) in New Delhi, aiding in 11,203 cases.
A separate National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (Evidence) in Hyderabad to expedite forensic analysis.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) oversees nationwide cybercrime responses.
A Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) was established to ensure seamless cooperation between law enforcement, banks, telecom providers, and IT intermediaries.
The Samanvaya Platform aids in data sharing and analysis, mapping cybercrime locations and providing visibility for jurisdictional action.
- Financial Recovery and Support:
Launch of the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System in 2021, has resulted in successful savings of over Rs 3,431 crore through prompt action on more than 9.94 lakh complaints.
A toll-free helpline (1930) for reporting financial cyber frauds.
- Proactive Actions:
Blocking of 6.69 lakh SIM cards and 1.32 lakh IMEIs.
Identification and blocking of 1,700 Skype IDs and 59,000 WhatsApp accounts linked to cyber scams so far.
- Capacity Building:
Training of over 98,698 police officers through the CyTrain MOOC platform, resulting in 75,591 certifications.
Commissioning of cyber forensic-cum-training laboratories across 33 States/UTs.
Training over 24,600 law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, and judicial officers under the Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) Scheme.
- Awareness Campaigns:
Engaging citizens through social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram under the handle “CyberDost.”
Conducting Cyber Safety Awareness Weeks and leveraging radio, metro announcements, and digital displays at airports and railway stations.
Technological Interventions
Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have been directed to identify and block international spoofed calls mimicking Indian numbers. This measure was taken as reports emerged stating the international spoofed calls were made by cyber-criminals in recent times to conduct FedEx scams, or impersonate government and police officials, etc.
Joint Cyber Coordination Teams and Regional Focus
Seven Joint Cyber Coordination Teams (JCCTs) have been formed to tackle cybercrime in hotspots like Mewat, Jamtara, and Ahmedabad. These teams aim to enhance collaboration among law enforcement agencies across jurisdictions.
Future Directions
While cybercrime remains primarily under State jurisdiction, the central government has amplified support through financial assistance of Rs 131.6 crore under CCPWC and plans to further strengthen its mechanisms. However, the timeline for the establishment of a dedicated national agency to tackle cybercrime remains under discussion.
With a multi-pronged approach focusing on prevention, detection, and capacity building, the government is addressing cybercrime’s growing menace. Enhanced forensic capabilities, financial safeguards, and citizen awareness campaigns are critical to ensuring digital safety across India.
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