VISAKHAPATNAM: In a major change in theft trend, perpetrators have made away more money from the Vizag denizens by sneaking into their online accounts than houses.
With technology becoming a silver lining during the Covid-19 pandemic as personal interactions and business moved online in 2021, cyber crooks have stolen over Rs 9.24 crore from Vizagites by duping them in various ways this year.
Though the cybercrime cases slightly decreased by over 13 per cent in Vizag city in 2021 when compared to 2020, the property lost is more than 50 per cent in 2021 than 2020.
A total of 307 cybercrimes were registered in Vizag city this year while it was 354 cases in 2020. The cyber fraudsters plundered Rs 6.13 crore in 2020.
Of the total 307 cybercrimes, 104 cases related to part time job, OLX and loan frauds were registered in Vizag.
Inspector of cybercrimes police station, Vizag, RVRK Choudhary said that taking advantage of the pandemic, cybercrooks came with innovative ideas to dupe people through part-time jobs, earn-more-money from home during Covid-19 and few other offers.
The property lost through offline property offences have reduced in Vizag. But the property lost through the online crimes have been increasing.
The increased plundering of amount through online fraud has an indication that police will deal different types of crime crimes in the coming days, police said.
According to police, apart from the job and loan frauds, 45 cases related to one-time-password (OTP), 30 cases related to Nigerian frauds (lottery frauds and matrimonial frauds) and 32 cases related to social media abuse were reported in Vizag this year.
Due to prevailing Covid-19 situation, the police couldn’t visit other states to crack the cases.
They managed to arrest only 21 accused in 18 cases in 2021 and recovered stolen property worth Rs 1.2 crore.
Expressing that awareness among the netizens is the only tool for not becoming a victim of the virtual frauds, the inspector said," No matter whoever calls you, never give away your confidential information and don’t make insecure transfer of money through online mode."
He also advised, scammers also use fake apps to steal money from the netizens.
Sometimes, crooks ask smartphone users to download an application that gives them remote access to their mobile phone and steal money, that's why people shouldn’t download any mirror apps, he added.
