Rs 100 crore defrauded in cyber cases this year: Kolkata Police

Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma attributed this to various methods of fraud — including ticket booking, digital arrest, intimidation of drug trafficking, KYC update, bait of investment in shares, and OTP shares

2 min readKolkataUpdated: Dec 30, 2024 07:56 PM IST

To assist citizens, Bengal Cyber Crime has recently launched a 24/7 helpline (1930) for recording complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, sources said. (Express File)

Kolkata residents have been defrauded of a total of Rs 100 crore through cyber fraud within the last year, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma said during the monthly crime conference on Saturday. According to sources, of the total defrauded amount, only 15% could be recovered.

He attributed this to various methods of fraud — including ticket booking, digital arrest, intimidation of drug trafficking, KYC update, bait of investment in shares, and OTP shares.

“If we talk about the state as a whole, it is huge. Cybercrime is rising fast… in a few years, it will be the only crime prevalent. White-collar conmen are only looking for virtual platforms. The recent trend shows these crimes are being controlled from Cambodia, Dubai, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong,” said Bivas Chatterjee, Special PP of cyber cases and a cyber expert, to The Indian Express.

To assist citizens, Bengal Cyber Crime has recently launched a 24/7 helpline (1930) for recording complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, sources said.

The Centre has also taken significant steps to combat cybercrime, including blocking over 6 lakh SIM cards and 1 lakh IMEI numbers linked to fraudulent activities — according to the Union Home Ministry in a recent Parliament session. It was said that Rs 3,431 crore has been recovered from over 9,94,000 cyber fraud complaints across the country, according to the latest NCRB report from 2022.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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