Numerous COVID-19 patients are falling prey to cyber fraud
The Delhi Police on Monday said it has been receiving numerous complaints about COVID-19 patients falling prey to cybercriminals, and eight FIRs have been registered in this connection at CyPAD and different police stations. Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava Monday directed his officers to immediately put in place a comprehensive strategy to curb the spurt in cyber offenses.
District Cyber Crime Cells and Crime Branch held a meeting
The police stated, "Later a meeting of all district Cyber Crime Cells and Crime Branch was held, which was coordinated by CyPAD or Cyber Prevention Awareness & Detection Center, the Delhi Police's nodal cybercrime unit." "Senior officers of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C) of MHA and National Payment Corporation of India were present as special invitees in the meeting," the statement said.
Each complaint about cyber fraud being duly inquired
"The NPCI and I4C have agreed to intensify cooperation in this regard and to get bank accounts being used by cybercriminals frozen and SIM cards highlighted to the Department of Telecom so that it becomes difficult for them to continue with such criminal practices," it said. "Each complaint about cyber fraud will be duly inquired into and appropriate action taken," a statement said.
CyPAD will act as nodal point for interacting with authorities
The CyPAD will act as the nodal point for interacting on a daily basis with authorities concerned. All major cyber-criminal networks based out of Jamtara, Mewat, Purulia, etc. shall be under intense scrutiny, the statement said.
Citizens can call on COVID-19 helpline number to report incidents
Police said in the statement that they have urged the citizens to call on the COVID-19 helpline number 011-23469900 to report the incidents. The incidents include overcharging by the ambulances, harassment faced at the cremation grounds, black-marketing of life saving drugs, oxygen, and medical articles, and cheating and fraud in the name of supplying COVID-19 drugs.
People not verifying before transferring money online to unknown persons
"The inputs, regarding online frauds in name of supplying oxygen or medicines, are being verified and it is noticed that people in desperation are not verifying before transferring money online to unknown persons who claim to be oxygen or medicine providers," the statement said. "Taking cognizance of such cheating and fraud, eight FIRs have been registered in CyPAD and different police stations," it said.
