Srinagar, Apr 28: With the advancement in technology and people moving towards the digital era, there is a surge in criminal activities including cyber frauds and theft cases being reported in various parts of the summer capital.
As per the official figures available with Greater Kashmir, a staggering 151 cases of cyber fraud and 2706 cases of theft have been registered in the Srinagar city alone from 2019 to January 2024.
The rise in the cyber frauds and the theft cases has posed a major challenge for the concerned authorities to control the crimes within the society.
Over the years, there has been an increase in cyber fraud cases, involving unauthorised access to financial accounts, online scams, and identity theft, leaving many individuals and businesses reeling from substantial financial losses.
Amid the surge in cyber frauds, the Cyber Police in Jammu and Kashmir has been issuing back to back advisories for the people to safeguard their money and other valuable assets by issuing dos and don’ts for the people.
Besides the cyber frauds, the surge in traditional theft cases has also become a challenge for the law enforcement agencies.
As per the data obtained through RTI by social activist MM Shuja, around 20 cyber fraud cases were registered by Srinagar Police and seven people were arrested as well besides the recovery of Rs 80 lakhs. In 2021, 27 cases of cyber frauds have been registered against 39 arrests and Rs 1.60 Crore has been recovered as well.
The recovery made by the police depicts the strength of the investigative system put in place by the Police.
Meanwhile in 2022, 56 cyber fraud cases were reported and 44 arrests were made along with the recovery of Rs 3 crore.
In 2023, 40 cases of cyber frauds and 42 arrests were made in the same year along with the recovery of Rs 2 crore.
In 2024, only one cyber fraud case has been registered till January month and a cash worth Rs 50.64 lacs has been recovered.
Amid the rise in cyber frauds, the Government of India has been actively promoting cyber security awareness through various initiatives. These include social media campaigns on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Telegram
Also, a series of awareness campaigns is carried by way of advertisements and posters to create awareness among masses about the cyber crimes and to prevent people from being used by criminal elements for money laundering.
Meanwhile, despite the rise in theft cases, the law and enforcement agencies in Srinagar have however also achieved major success in recovering stolen property from the burglars.
As per the official figures, 526 theft cases were registered by Srinagar Police in Srinagar while during the same year 127 vehicles were recovered from thieves. Also, 385 cases were registered in 2020 and 133 vehicles were recovered and 636 theft cases were registered in 2021 and 176 stolen vehicles were recovered as well.
In 2022 around 715 theft cases were registered 183 vehicles were recovered as well, depicting strict vigil by the J&K Police Srinagar to control the crimes in the district.
Also 411 theft cases were registered in 2023 in Srinagar district and on the other hand 47 stolen vehicles were recovered by Police from the burglars.
In 2024, 33 theft cases were reported in January alone in the district and two stolen vehicles have been recovered as well.