Kolkata: With Kolkata Police registering 1,000 cases of cyber fraud — worth Rs 208 crore — monthly on an average, the cyber cell at Lalbazar has opened a new 24x7 helpline number to guide cybercrime victims.
The number, 1800 345 0066, will be manned by cybercrime officers in three shifts, and the cops will act as the bridge between the victim and local police and the divisional cyber cell. They will help a victim lodge a complaint with the national portal 1930 and then guide them on how to block their bank accounts or lodge an FIR. The older anti-bank fraud helpline number will also continue to operate.
In addition, the police are also setting up a specialised cyber blocking cell that will block SIM cards, social media handles, websites, or anything available online that are reportedly used to carry out online frauds. Keeping in mind the needs of senior citizens who are vulnerable to high-value crimes, the police will also publish a monthly newsletter, named Cyber Pass, that will discuss the modus operandi in circulation among fraudsters. The language will be simple, targeting senior citizens, homemakers and students who form the most vulnerable groups.
"Over the last few years, Kolkata saw a rise in cybercrimes. So we decided that, just like security on roads or at home is important, digital security is also the need of the hour. Hence, we will fight cybercrime 24x7. Cyber crooks are invisible, silent, and do not bother about geographical barriers. In cybercrime, the golden hour is important; time indeed is money. Our rapid response system will liaise with the victims and help them lodge a complaint at 1930. We will also liaise with banks and other organisations so that the response is quicker. In the last one year, we returned more than 25% of the lost money," said commissioner Supratim Sarkar.
According to DC (Cyber) Abhishek Modi, the announcements a day prior to Safer Internet Day on Feb 11 will target senior citizens, the most vulnerable of all citizens. According to Modi, the new helpline received more than 50 calls on the first day, several of which were duly resolved.