Cops block 14,669 ‘anti’social media accounts | #cybercrime | #infosec

The State Cyber Crime Unit has blocked 14,669 social media accounts involved in criminal activities in 2024. This is nearly four times the 4,319 accounts blocked in 2023.

On December 28, Neel Shah, an executive manager, lost Rs 1.44 crore after investing in a scheme advertised on Instagram. In another incident, a senior citizen lost Rs 75 lakh to a digital arrest scam.

Fake Facebook and Instagram accounts are commonly used to deceive victims. Criminals also impersonate senior officials and prominent personalities to cheat people.

Criminals operate from remote areas

A senior cybercrime official told Mirror, “Instagram and Facebook accounts are often created using false identities with pre-activated SIM cards for internet access, which makes it difficult to apprehend the criminals. Moreover, these criminals typically operate from remote areas like Jamtara, Bharatpur, or Mevat.”

‘Blocking accounts most effective option’

SP (State Cyber Crime Unit) Dharmendra Sharma told Mirror, “To put an end to accounts involved in such criminal activities, we have blocked about 4,727 Facebook accounts and 9,942 Instagram accounts. This is nearly four times the 4,319 social media accounts blocked in 2023. Additionally, over 350 social media accounts offering loans and extorting money from victims have been blocked this year, compared to 224 accounts blocked in 2023.”

Sharma added, “The cases of digital arrest and investment fraud are surging. Though different city cybercrime units have arrested several foreign nationals, the masterminds of these gangs are operating from abroad. In such circumstances, blocking their social media accounts is the most effective option.”

Cybercrime helpline and golden hours

Sharma also said, “We have also tied up with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to identify pre-activated SIM cards used in such criminal activities. Based on recommendations from Gujarat CID, over 3,000 SIM cards used by cybercriminals to harass their victims have been blocked. The cybercrime helpline number 1930 is the best option for victims to report such crimes within the first six hours, known as the ‘golden hours.’ We can freeze the money in the bank accounts where the cheated money is transferred.” 

Gujarat has cybercrime detection units in most of its districts. In addition, a team of cyber experts has been assigned to form a cyber patrol team, which monitors the internet 24/7 to identify social media accounts involved in anti-social activities and spreading fake news.