The Haryana police have been cracking down on cyber fraud and phishing networks in recent times, and last week’s raid resulted in the arrest of 65 individuals from 300 locations in Noah. The police officials revealed that the villages on the Haryana-Rajasthan border, Alwar and Bharatpur, have been conducting cybercrime training sessions, which have become a major source of concern for the police.
The police carried out the largest field operation against cybercrime on the night of April 27, with around 5,000 police personnel raiding 14 villages. Of the 125 suspects arrested during the raids, 65 were later arrested, and 16 were charged.
The cybercrime training centers have been operational for a long time, where participants are taught various phishing techniques and the art of persuasion. According to reports, more than 100 training schools for cyber fraud are being run in these villages, with phishing and cheating the OLX course being the cheapest, with fees ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per month. The most expensive course is a three-month-long course of “sextortion” or honeytrap.
Haryana Crime Branch data indicates that between January 1 and March 30, 2021, there were 25,659 cyber complaints registered in the state. Nearly 30% of these were admitted in Gurgaon, and another 14% in Faridabad.
The youth reportedly pay between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 for the cybercrime training sessions, where they are taught various techniques using laptops, mobile phones, and unregistered SIM cards. Cybercrime experts warn that such training centers for phishing techniques can have a devastating effect on society and the economy and have become a major source of concern for the police.
The arrests and raids carried out by the Haryana police are a significant step in curbing cybercrime in the state. With the increasing use of technology in everyday life, it is essential to take measures to prevent cybercrime and create awareness among the people.
