Gujarat DGP Sounds Alarm on Cyber Crime Beyond Financial Fraud
In a stark warning issued at a seminar in Vadodara, Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP) K L N Rao emphasized that cyber crime is no longer confined to financial fraud. He revealed that criminals are increasingly targeting vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, women, and children, through deceptive gaming platforms and mobile applications.
Expanding Threat Landscape and Screen Addiction
Addressing police personnel at MS University during a monthly crime conference, DGP Rao highlighted the multifaceted nature of modern cyber threats. "Cyber crime is not just about financial frauds; there are at least 18-20 ways of committing these offenses," he stated. He pointed to the tragic case of three young siblings in Ghaziabad, whose alleged suicide was linked to excessive screen time and addiction to Korean dramas, as a grim example of how digital exposure can lead to severe consequences.
"This is a form of addiction to screen time, mobile phones, and cyber criminals—all interconnected. We must create awareness," Rao urged, underscoring the need for public education on the dangers of screen addiction among youths.
Golden Hour Reporting Crucial for Fund Recovery
DGP Rao stressed the critical importance of reporting cyber frauds within the "golden hour"—the immediate period after an incident. "The best way to minimize or tackle cyber crime is to be quick to report the case," he explained. Prompt reporting enables police to halt payment gateways and freeze stolen funds, potentially recovering 45-50% of the pilfered amounts. He warned that delays often result in irreversible financial losses, which have, in some cases, led to suicides.
To enhance response capabilities, the Gujarat police plan to expand their 1930 helplines from 90 to 180 in the near future, aiming to improve fund retrieval rates during this crucial window.
Emerging Threats: Cyber Slavery and Jurisdictional Hurdles
Rao also shed light on alarming trends like "cyber slavery," where agents lure unsuspecting youths abroad with false job promises, only to confine and force them into committing cyber crimes. He predicted a rise in such schemes, along with digital arrests and intimidation tactics targeting senior citizens.
Investigating these crimes poses significant challenges due to jurisdictional complexities. "Crime is committed from outside the country, money goes to a person in another country, and the complaint is registered in a different place," Rao noted, citing procedural and legal obstacles. He added that coordination with banks and nodal officers is often problematic, as not all institutions are equally proactive.
Police Initiatives and Broader Context
During the seminar, which was part of a broader crime conference for Vadodara and Panchmahal range units, Rao inaugurated the zonal office of the Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) in Vadodara. He emphasized community involvement in narcotics control, stating, "We are keeping the citizens together to crack down."
Additionally, he announced that the Gujarat police have completed the recruitment of 10,000 candidates, with 1,000 Lok Rakshak Dal jawans allocated to Vadodara city. Addressing recent suicides within the police department, Rao mentioned ongoing training and counseling programs with NGO support to alleviate stress among personnel.
Vadodara Tops Emergency Response Times
In a related development, a presentation at the crime conference revealed that Vadodara City Police leads the state in response time to emergency calls on the 112 number. Commissioner of Police Narasimha Komar reported an impressive average response time of 7.23 minutes, achieved despite resource constraints and a limited number of PCR vans. This performance was commended by DGP Rao, highlighting the department's efficiency in crisis situations.
As cyber threats evolve, DGP Rao's message underscores the urgent need for vigilance, timely reporting, and collaborative efforts to protect society's most vulnerable members from digital predators.
