SURAT: The city has witnessed nearly 300% increase in cyber crime cases compared to the previous year till July in the pandemic period.
Data shows that citizens have lost Rs three crore to cyber frauds till July this year. Of the total money siphoned off online, around Rs 1.34 crore was frozen in bank accounts or returned to victims after cops took action.
Police have now launched a month-long awareness campaign Cyber Sanjivani to create awareness about such frauds.
In all, 75 cyber crime cases were registered in the city up to July in 2020, but 203 have already been registered this year.
“Our teams are working to identify victims, detect the cases and create awareness. Considering the rising numbers, we have started a month-long drive to prevent cyber crime cases,” said city police commissioner Ajay Tomar.
Officials claim that the rise is inevitable as more and more people are exposed to unsecured use of the internet.
“Looking at the success in police investigation and recovery of money lost in cyber fraud, people have also started approaching police with complaints,” said Y A Gohil, assistant commissioner of police, cyber crime cell, Surat.
