Chandigarh cops recover Rs 2.79 crore from cyber criminals in six months

Amit Sharma

Chandigarh, April 9

The Cybercrime Investigation Cell of the UT police has recovered around Rs 2.79 crore siphoned off from victims’ accounts in nearly six months. A total of Rs 8.50 lakh in cash and an SUV purchased from the cheated money have also been recovered by the police.

Don’t click suspicious links

Beware of clicking suspicious links and responding to calls/messages from unknown numbers. In case of fraud, immediately call ‘1930’ or ‘112’. It can help block money. — Ketan Bansal, SP, Cybercrime

The police claim if victims approach them within “golden hours” of the crime, the cheated money can be recovered in a majority of financial fraud cases.

A police official says cybercrime has increased manifold with gullible people losing their hard-earned money. However, reporting the incident without delay can increase chances of recovery. “The priority is to put on hold the fraudulent transactions and recover the swindled money from the accused,” says the official.

In a recent incident, a Sector 18 resident on realising that Rs 59 lakh had been transferred from his bank account approached the cyber sleuths, who froze the accounts to which the money was transferred and recovered it.

Similarly, a retired Colonel had fallen prey to a fake power bill scam and Rs 5.75 lakh was transferred from his account. However, his timely complaint allowed cops to get the transaction blocked and recover the money within a month.

The money is not directly transferred to fraudsters’ account. It is routed through several bank and UPI accounts before being parked in the beneficiary’s account, says the official.

“Fraudsters feel they can wriggle their way out by not transferring the cheated amount directly to their accounts. However, we follow the money trail, and reach the end receiver and make arrests,” says the official.

“Beware of clicking suspicious links and responding to calls and messages from unknown numbers. In case of cyber fraud, immediately call ‘1930’ or ‘112’ and share the transaction details. It can help block money before it lands in the hands of fraudsters,” says Ketan Bansal, SP, Cybercrime.

In the past six months, 55 fraudsters, including seven foreign nationals, have been arrested for cyber fraud. Among the foreigners were five Nigerians, one from Guinea and another from China.

Sources say sometimes the cheated money is immediately transferred outside of the country, making the chances of recovery difficult. “This happened in the case of a woman who was looking for a prospective groom on a matrimonial site. She got tricked and lost around Rs 48 lakh. The money was transferred to an African country after the crime,” says the official.

Police say lack of awareness is among the key reasons for such frauds. They hold awareness camps in public places, schools, and colleges, besides inducting around 700 cyber interns.

‘Golden hours’ key

• If a victim approaches cops within ‘golden hours’ of the crime, chances of recovering the money are high, says police official
• The priority is to put on hold the fraudulent transactions and recover the swindled money from the accused at the earliest
• Swindlers usually route money through several bank and UPI accounts before parking in into their account, say police

Seven foreigners among 55 held

In past six months, 55 fraudsters, including seven foreign nationals have been held for cyber fraud. Among them are five Nigerians, a Guinean and one from China.