₹58 crore lost to cyber fraud cases in Kalaburagi, says police officer

Cyber Crime Police Inspector Raghavendra being felicitated by KKCCI representatives during a cybercrime awareness programme in Kalaburagi on Thursday.

Cybercrimes have caused financial loss of around ₹58 crore in Kalaburagi compared with the about ₹2 crore loss due to conventional crimes, Circle Inspector of Police in the Cyber Crime Police Station Raghavendra has said.

He was speaking at a cybercrime awareness programme organised by the Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCI) in Kalaburagi on Thursday.

The programme aimed to educate businesspeople and public about online fraud and ways to protect themselves.

Mr. Raghavendra cited the case of a retired government employee who lost ₹1.8 crore to cyber fraud noting that businesspeople, serving government employees and retirees are all vulnerable to such scams.

He cautioned that tracing online fraudsters and recovering the money lost to them are difficult, making preventive measures essential.

He warned people against fake investment applications and WhatsApp and Telegram groups promising unusually high returns.

Fraudsters often initially display profits to gain the confidence of victims before demanding additional payments under the pretext of taxes or fees when they attempt to withdraw their money.

People should not fall for such offers or share their one-time passwords (OTPs), PINs or passwords with anyone, he said.

The police officer also cautioned against so-called digital arrest scams in which fraudsters impersonate police personnel or officials of other government departments, level false allegations and demand money.

He clarified that there is no legal provision for digital arrest in India and urged people not to panic or transfer money in response to such calls.

Warning against social media-related fraud, he advised people not to share personal information, private photographs or videos online and to remain cautious about fake accounts and strangers.

If someone threatens to circulate private photographs or videos and demands money, victims should preserve the evidence and file a complaint instead of paying the blackmailer.

“Don’t open suspicious links received in the name of wedding invitations, electricity bills, vehicle traffic challans or bank messages. Installing unknown Android Package Kit (APK) files on mobile phones can expose personal information and put bank accounts at risk,” he said and urged victims of cyber financial fraud to inform their banks immediately, call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 and lodge a complaint through the cybercrime portal at cybercrime.gov.in.

“Prompt reporting can improve the chances of preventing further transfer of money. Victims should preserve transaction details, Unique Transaction Reference (UTR) numbers, screenshots, phone numbers and messages as evidence,” he said.

KKCCI president Sharanabasappa M. Pappa presided over the programme and welcomed the participants.

KKCCI honorary secretary Shivaraj V. Inginshetty and subcommittee chairman for civil and consumer affairs Sandeep V. Mishra were present.