Digital clean-up drive expands statewide after pilot success

Following the promising outcomes of its pilot initiative, Cyber Swachhta-01, aimed at combating cybercrime and apprehending offenders, the Himachal Pradesh Police is set to roll out the programme across all districts. This comprehensive action plan will coordinate efforts statewide to identify cybercriminals and secure the digital landscape.

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Launched earlier this month in Bilaspur district and police district Baddi, the pilot phase of Cyber Swachhta-01 yielded significant results. During this period, police identified nine cybercriminals and uncovered an active cybercrime module in Nalagarh. In a major breakthrough, Baddi police arrested three individuals — Amrit Pal, Firoz Khan and Jaspreet Singh — in connection with a Rs 6.67 crore bank fraud. The accused had operated 23 bank accounts under the guise of share trading and cryptocurrency investments.

Authorities also froze multiple bank accounts, blocked mobile numbers and IMEIs and are investigating links to a larger organised cyber fraud network. In Bilaspur, three cases are under investigation, including a Rs 1.5 crore transaction scam at Canara Bank, a fake job offer scam involving the Bank of Maharashtra and suspicious transactions at PNB’s Bairi branch. Six suspects have been identified in these cases.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mohit Chawla of the State CID Cybercrime unit explained that Cyber Swachhta-01 focuses on four key verticals: mule bank account number report, cheque withdrawal report, ATM withdrawal report and suspect mobile number report.

The Himachal Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (HIM4C) serves as the central hub for data collection and coordination. Working in tandem with the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), HIM4C compiles district-wise data to support localised execution of the action plan. It also acts as the nodal agency for integrating efforts across all district units.

DIG Chawla emphasised the department’s zero-tolerance stance: “We will not allow cybercriminals to breed or operate in our state. Our strict action plan ensures that offenders are brought to justice and our cyberspace remains secure.”

He also urged citizens to report any cybercrime or suspicious activity by calling the toll-free number 1930, connected to the Cy Station1 data centre.