Hyderabad, Aug.5 (NSS): The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has set a new benchmark by facilitating the refund of ₹85.05 crore to victims of cyber fraud from March to July, 2024, across all Commissionerates and Districts of Telangana.
This accomplishment is the result of collaborative efforts between TGCSB and the Telangana State Legal Services Authority (TGLSA). These efforts focused on the increasing cyber crimes causing substantial financial losses to citizens and the difficulties faced by Station House Officers (SHOs) in registering First Information Reports (FIRs) through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
A major concern addressed was the prolonged holding of fraudulent funds in banks without returning them to victims. To streamline the filing of petitions under Section 457 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was developed by the TGCSB with the collaboration of the TGLSA, during February, 2024, and distributed to all District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) in Telangana with the active persuasion of TGCSB.
Results of the Refund Initiative:
Since the implementation of these measures and the directives issued to all District Judges on February 20, 2024, a total of 6,840 petitions have been submitted to the courts. Refund orders have been granted for 6,449 cases, amounting to a total of ₹85.05 crore. Of this amount, ₹36.8 crore has been refunded in the Cyberabad commissionerate, marking it as the top unit in terms of refunds processed. The initiative represents a major advancement in providing prompt financial relief to victims of cyber fraud, establishing a new benchmark for cyber security and legal response in Telangana.
The collaboration between TGCSB and TGLSA, along with the active participation of the Telangana High Court, underscores a strong legal framework designed to address the financial consequences of cyber crimes on citizens. These efforts showcase TGCSB’s ongoing dedication to safeguarding citizens from cyber threats and ensuring justice and financial compensation for victims.
The Cyber Security Bureau underscores the critical importance of immediate action in reporting cyber fraud within the “golden hour,” i.e., at the very moment it is realized or suspected. Immediate reporting significantly enhances the chances of freezing the fraud amount in the accused’s bank accounts and digital wallets, thereby facilitating potential refunds to the victims. Victims are urged to report incidents promptly by calling 1930 or visiting the cybercrime.gov.in portal.
Basic Prevention Steps: Do not share personal or financial information online with unknown persons/entities; Verify the authenticity of messages or emails that request financial transactions; Use strong, unique passwords for different accounts and change them regularly; Keep your software and security systems updated to protect against vulnerabilities; Report any suspicious activity or cyber crime to TGCSB immediately; Remember that stock investment only happens through DMAT account, stock exchange and not through any company websites; Remember that no law enforcement agencies ever make video calls and ask for transfer of money to any account for verification purposes.
Through these preventive measures and prompt reporting, citizens can protect themselves from falling victim to cyber fraud and help authorities take swift action.
