KURNOOL: The rising number of cybercrime cases in Andhra Pradesh and low recovery rates are raising concern, with police officials attributing the difficulty in detection and recovery to the involvement of inter-state gangs.
Under-reporting of cases has also been cited as a factor masking the extent of the problem.
Sources said that at one stage fewer FIRs were being registered to avoid publicity to poor recovery rates. In some cases, freezing bank accounts linked to suspicious transactions has also affected people who were not connected to the offences.
Official data shows that the state police department’s toll-free helpline receives an average of 9.29 lakh calls a year, of which more than 72,000 are related to cybercrime, accounting for over eight per cent of the calls.
G. Viswamurthy, a schoolteacher from Anantapur, said he lost ₹10,000 in an online fraud. “I lodged a complaint, but even after a year and a half, I have not received my money. There is no significant follow-up,” he said.
Police officials say most cybercrime offenders operate as part of inter-state gangs, making their identification and recovery of money difficult. A cyber law expert, however, felt at least 50 per cent of complaints should be converted into FIRs.
“Out of 72,000 calls, registering only around 2,000 FIRs annually raises serious questions,” the expert said.
A recent incident in Kurnool town, in which SIM cards were allegedly used to siphon off welfare funds from women, highlighted the changing methods used by cybercriminals. Police sources said cybercrime cases were increasing in the district with the growing use of smartphones.
Cybercriminals reportedly siphoned off more than ₹650 crore from the state during the past year, while recovery remained below three per cent. Police said ₹116 crore had been seized. However, freezing of accounts in such cases has also caused difficulties for unrelated account holders.
N. Harikumar, a mobile shop owner in Kurnool, said, “A customer paid ₹14,500 via PhonePe. Later, my entire account with ₹1.75 lakh was frozen, saying the transaction was linked to a cybercriminal. How can we verify every customer?”
Experts stressed the need for better coordination among police agencies in different states to trace offenders and recover money. “If money is unsafe both at home and in banks, people are left with no other option,” a victim said.
Nandyal district SP Sunil Sheron said, “Not every cyber complaint requires an FIR. For losses below ₹50,000, victims can apply through the portal, and recovery is possible. FIRs will be registered wherever necessary.”
Cybercrime Cases In One Year
………
Category – Number
Calls received on 1930 helpline – 9.29 lakh
Cybercrime-related calls – 72,000
Amount looted by cybercriminals – ₹652 crore
FIRs registered – 2,528
Amount frozen – ₹116.7 crore
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