Varanasi Police to crack down on cybercrime network: CP seeks reports from police stations in 15 days; 277 ...

Varanasi4 hours ago

Police in Varanasi will now take stricter action against cyber criminals arrested during investigations and operations. The cybercrime team will also change its approach to dismantle their networks.

Arresting cyber criminals will not be considered the end of a case once they are sent to jail. In the second phase, police will target their associates and other members of their networks.

In the third phase, action will be taken against their properties and other sources of income. Police will identify the entire network, including those opening mule accounts, selling fake SIM cards, running fake call centres and withdrawing fraud proceeds from ATMs. Action will also be taken under the Gangsters Act.

Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal has directed officers to adopt this approach towards identified cyber criminals in the district. The cyber team presented a blueprint, after which the CP issued further directions based on some suggestions.

The CP has also instructed cybercrime officers in all three zones to review pending cases every 15 days and submit progress reports. They have been directed to monitor identified local criminals and trace their phone numbers.

Officers and nodal officers attending a cybercrime meeting in the auditorium of the Varanasi Police Commissioner's residence.

58 gangs busted, 277 cyber fraudsters arrested

The Cyber Crime team presented its report card, highlighting the Commissionerate Police's achievements over the past year. It said that during this period, the Cyber Crime Police busted 58 cybercrime gangs, arrested 277 cybercriminals and sent them to jail.

In five major digital arrest cases, 36 criminals were arrested, and ₹1.20 crore, cars, and electronic devices were recovered from them. In a major crackdown on illegal call centres, 15 call centres were busted, and 175 people were arrested.

The gangs were involved in investment fraud, cheating foreign nationals and defrauding people on the pretext of offering jobs. Acting swiftly on cyber complaints, 16,982 NCRP complaints were resolved.

All the DCPs, along with the cyber in-charges of three zones and cyber nodal officers, were present during the meeting at CP Mohit Agrawal's camp office.

₹25 crore put on hold, ₹4.5 crore returned

The cyber team said ₹25 crore in fraud proceeds was put on hold as part of financial action. After the process was completed, ₹4.5 crore was returned to the victims. A total of 10,176 mobile numbers and 8,262 IMEI numbers used in cybercrime were blocked.

The Gangster Act was invoked against 21 hardened criminals. A total of 550 people trapped in fraudsters' network were rescued and safely handed over to their families, while 17 four-wheelers were recovered.

The CP said that under the awareness campaign, more than 25,000 people had been told about ways to protect themselves from cyber fraud at schools, colleges and crossroads.

DCP Crime Neetu, DCP Rajesh Kumar Pandey, ADCP Crime Nripendra, along with cyber in-charges and cyber nodal officers from all zones, were present at the cybercrime meeting.