With cyber crimes and frauds on the rise, police everywhere are on high alert to control the spike. In this regard, Raipur Police has started an awareness campaign under its ‘Suno Raipur’ banner. The campaign was launched by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Independence Day. The seven-day campaign that will end on 21 August is being conducted not only in Raipur city but various other parts of the district.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, SSP, Raipur Prashant Agarwal gave details of the campaign and explained how cyber crime has become one of the biggest challenges for police.
MANY CASES GO UNREPORTED
When asked about the most common types of cyber-crime in the city, SSP Agarwal replied, “Most cyber-crimes are related to financial frauds. For e.g., they send a link saying your electricity bill is due or something else. When you click on the link, you will get a form in which you have to fill all your paying credentials. In another type, they send a link and make you download apps like AnyDesk, VNC Connect, through which they can remotely access your mobile phone.”
Besides this, the other most common type of cyber fraud is committed through WhatsApp video call. “You will get a call, and on other side, there might not be a real girl. Some adult video will be playing and the fraud will record this call and will blackmail you. In some cases, they even morph the image or the video. This is one of the most unreported cyber crimes,” Mr. Agarwal said.
He also added that in 2021, 270 cases and in 2022, 215 cases of cyber crime were reported. This increased number led to the launch of ‘Suno Raipur’ initiative.
CAMPAIGN THROUGH VIDEO MESSAGE
The police department has made a video in which many officers and police personnel ask common people to be aware of several kinds of cyber crime in a very unique and interesting way. The video is being propagated through various channels, including WhatsApp. A team of Raipur police also visits public places and RWAs and tell people about this while showing the video. The video is also being showcased on several LED screens throughout the town and on local media channels. Mr. Agarwal said that officers are visiting and doing cyber crime-centric talk shows on local radio channels too.
“We just want that whenever a person gets any random link or video calls, they, at least, remember the video and our campaign before doing anything further. This little consciousness will save them from many such cyber fraud incidents and we will be successful in our purpose.”
INTERACTIVE SESSION OF CYBER EXPERTS
Also, now, cyber security experts answer people’s questions directly by joining the ‘Suno Raipur’ campaign. They are coming live on social media pages of Raipur Police and engaging in live sessions on cyber security. As part of the campaign, cyber security expert Dr. Rakshit Tandon and Milling Aggarwal have already connected with people live and talked on cyber security and answered many queries of people.
SSP Raipur Agarwal has appealed to all citizens of Chhattisgarh to follow the information and suggestions given under the Suno Raipur campaign, to avoid being a victim of cyber fraud, and become cyber smart in the process, and also help others to become more aware.
