Kolkata CM Launches Cyber Help Desks to Tackle Rising Online Fraud
Times of India | 3 July 2026
Kolkata: Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday described cybercrime as a “social epidemic” and called for a stronger, technology-driven policing framework to tackle the growing menace.
After inaugurating cyber help desks in all 500 police stations across the state, he said, “Cybercrime has become a pandemic, and to deal with these, help desks in all police stations have been created.”
The CM warned that cyber fraudsters are increasingly targeting ordinary citizens by stealing bank account details during the online submission of forms for various social security schemes of the govt. He said such scams enable criminals to wipe out victims’ savings within seconds, leaving many families financially devastated.
Recalling his interactions during the weekly “Janatar Darbar” programme, Adhikari said he regularly meets elderly citizens who have lost their lifetime savings to cyber fraud.
“Many octogenarians come to me with walking sticks, saying the provident fund or gratuity they had saved for a grandkid’s medical education or to build a house for their son disappeared in moments. Such sophisticated crimes cannot be tackled with common sense alone. They require specialised training and modern technology,” he said.
“The Centre is concerned with cybercrime and has undertaken several measures. A Centre-state close coordination is necessary to tackle the incidents of cybercrime,” Adhikari added.
To strengthen the state’s response, the CM announced that a dedicated senior police officer of the rank of additional director general (ADG) or inspector general (IG) will be appointed to exclusively oversee cybercrime across Bengal. The officer will coordinate with the Union ministry of home affairs and supervise cyber police stations and cyber help desks throughout the state.
Adhikari also assured that the state would provide the cyber wing with advanced equipment, modern investigative tools, and necessary logistical support to enhance its capacity to prevent, detect, and investigate cyber offences effectively.
“Cyber fraud has reached an alarming stage now. Even those who have filled out forms for social projects are becoming victims of cybercrime. Even small allowance amounts from their accounts disappear in a few seconds. Marginalised people are also victims of fraud. A cyber-help desk will be launched in collaboration with the Centre and the state govts to assist those who have been cheated,” the CM said.
Chief secretary Manoj Agarwal referred to the fact that timely reporting or the “golden hour” reporting of cyber crime gives law enforcement agencies a breather to track down the cheated money.