Hyderabad/New Delhi: India has made a major stride in the fight against cybercrime. The Union Home Ministry announced that Rs 5,489 crore was reclaimed from cybercriminals. This update came during a review of the Cyber and Information Security Division by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, in New Delhi.
The minister stressed the importance of reforms centered on victims. He urged that procedures be simplified so that recovered money can be returned quickly to those affected by cyber fraud. He instructed officials to focus on these changes and to use cyber commandos for important cases to speed up investigations and recoveries.
The review underscored the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre’s (I4C) vital role. This center facilitates cooperation between the central and state governments to tackle online threats.
Officials informed the minister about various actions taken, including the blocking of over 1.2 million fake SIM cards and mobile devices, and the freezing of 1.33 million bank accounts used for illegal activities. These measures also stopped fraudulent transactions worth Rs 4,631 crore from being completed.
The I4C network includes essential tools like the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), the 1930 Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Monitoring System (CFCFRMS), and the Cyber Multi-Agency Centre (CyMAC). Training for police, lawyers, and judges has been expanded to improve their skills.
Minister Bandi Sanjay praised the Home Ministry for its cyber defense efforts during big events like the G-20 Summit and the Shri Ram Mandir launch. He highlighted the role of Integrated Command and Control Centres in preventing cyberattacks. He also emphasized improving the investigation capabilities of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and called for robust victim support systems, especially for cases involving women and children.
To boost public involvement, the minister instructed officials to start awareness campaigns in local languages and encouraged people to report cybercrimes using the 1930 helpline and the cybercrime.gov.in portal. He recommended that all states and union territories implement an ‘e-zero FIR’ system, like the one used by Delhi Police, for quicker cybercrime complaint registration. This review represents a significant step in India’s cybersecurity approach, prioritizing victim support, proactive enforcement, and public awareness.
