The cyber frauds of the state are increasing uncontrollably. Cyber criminals are challenging the state police by looting more than Rs.500 crores every year. Up to 150 cyber cases are reported daily. The call center alone receives 1 lakh 36 thousand calls claiming to have been cheated in cybercrimes in one year,so it is clear how in large scale these crimes are taking place. Out of those who made calls, 64,000 people complained. Most of these crimes are taking place within the three commissionerates of Greater Hyderabad. It seems that cyber criminals are looting Rs.450 crores annually in Hyderabad. Another Rs.100 crore frauds are taking place in the districts. 8,839 cyber cases have been registered last year in the state. The 1,930 call centers run by the state’s counter-intelligence receives lakhs of calls every year. A total of 1,36,139 calls were received from last year June to 19th of this month. In this, 64,034 people filed complaints. Criminals extorted Rs.310 crores and 80 lakhs from these victims. In this, the police have frozen Rs.25,94,61,955.
With the growing technology, smartphones have come into everyone’s hand. Unlimited internet data, lakhs of apps are available. In addition to this, digital payments and online transactions have increased tremendously without working with cash. This is what cyber criminals have turned to their advantage. Digital banking and e- commerce sites are being targeted and robbed as much as possible. Bank accounts are being hacked by sending links, hacking smart phones, malware, phishing and wishing mails. OLX, Amazon, Flipkart and other e-commerce sites are also involved in cyber fraud. A fivefold increase in cybercrimes within three years is observed.
Most of the cybercrimes in the country are happening in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Frauds are being committed with phone numbers purchased on dark web sites and bank accounts collected by agencies. They are committing investment frauds claiming more profits in less time. The Indian Computers Emergency Response Team has revealed that there has been a five-fold increase in cybercrimes between 2018 and 2021. Compared to 2018, 350 percent more cybercrimes have been reported than last year.
There are millions of mobile apps available. 80 percent of the cases reported annually are frauds based on smartphones. Netizens are hacking and stealing data with unknown links. Scams in the name of OTP Frauds, Debit Cards Cloning, KYC Update are stealing money from accounts with fake call centers.
The cybercriminals extorted Rs. 66 lakh by trapping three people on the pretence of giving them a loan and making huge profits with crypto currency. Tata Capital stole Rs.18.50 lakhs in three months in the name of registration and service charges from a person from Charminar claiming to give a loan. After being told to pay more, the victim became suspicious and reported to cybercrime. Cybercriminals sent a WhatsApp link to two people from Old Boyguda, Ramnagar claiming huge profits with crypto currency. They collected Rs.40 lakh from a person from Old Boyguda and Rs.7.73 lakh from a person from Ramnagar. The victims realized that they were cheated and filed a complaint with the cybercrime police.
