Himachal Pradesh Sees 585 Cyber Frauds, ₹150 Crore Lost Over Three Years
Himachal Pradesh Experiences Significant Rise in Cyber Frauds
The state of Himachal Pradesh has seen a sharp increase in cyber fraud cases over the last three years, leading to a staggering loss of around ₹150 crore.
Law Enforcement Efforts
- 585 cases have been reported, with 258 individuals arrested and over ₹10 crore recovered.
- Eight officers have received specialized training in digital forensics, and 29 more are currently undergoing training.
- Cyber help desks have been set up in 146 police stations across the state.
District-Wise Breakdown
Mandi topped the list with 100 cases, followed closely by Dharamshala and Shimla, both with 81 cases each.
Shimla cyber police station reported the highest total fraud amount, reaching ₹55.62 crore, while Mandi recorded ₹33.64 crore, and Dharamshala ₹25.92 crore.
Financial Impacts
- Other districts’ financial losses include:
- Chamba (₹12.96 crore)
- Solan (₹4.91 crore)
- Baddi (₹3.69 crore)
- Kangra (₹2.60 crore)
- Sirmaur (₹2.30 crore)
- Mandi (₹2.28 crore)
- Bilaspur (₹14.9 lakh)
Expert Insights
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh highlighted the need for enhanced police vigilance and digital awareness in the state.
Citizens are urged to exercise caution when engaging with unknown links, applications, or calls.
Government Initiatives
To combat the issue, the state government is implementing various measures, including:
- Online awareness campaigns
- Cyber help desks
- Training for police officers
Experts stress the importance of citizen vigilance and robust banking security measures to effectively combat digital fraud.
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