Kangra police educate public on cyber crime

In response to the increasing cyber crime cases, the Kangra police, under the leadership of Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri, has been conducting seminars to raise awareness about online frauds. These initiatives focus on educating students and elderly people about the latest tactics used by scammers.

The Palampur police recently held a seminar at Senior Secondary School, Ghuggar, where Inder Singh, Additional SHO, addressed students. He emphasised the need to combat the growing menace of cyber crime, highlighting how criminals exploit the internet to deceive unsuspecting individuals. Singh encouraged students to remain vigilant and spread awareness about online fraud.

SP Shalini Agnihotri shared with The Tribune that the seminars cover various cyber crime methods, including frauds involving barcodes, fake websites, UPI payments, SIM and ATM cards, and honey traps on social media platforms. She revealed that several cyber crime cases have been registered in Kangra district, leading to arrests of suspects from states such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab.

Explaining the modus operandi of scammers, Agnihotri mentioned that many criminals operate from abroad, using Indian bank accounts purchased from local residents. These accounts are used to launder stolen funds, making it difficult to trace the perpetrators. She added that common scams include fraudulent job offers, fake stock market investments, and scams where fraudsters impersonate police officials to extort money.

To combat these issues, the Kangra police has launched a comprehensive awareness programme targeting schools, public places and social media platforms. Public welfare associations and NGOs will also be involved in the initiative. Citizens are urged to maintain “cyber hygiene” by safeguarding personal information, verifying calls and messages, and understanding digital systems to avoid falling victim to scams.

SP Agnihotri stressed the importance of public vigilance and encouraged people to report any suspicious activities promptly.