Awareness is best defence against cyber crime: Cops

Sources from Cyber police station at BKC said they have at least six to seven cases registered with them from last year, in which women were duped by imposters, who posed as UK or US nationals, after gaining their trusts by cooking up an emotional story

Cyber police officers investigating cases in which women were duped by Facebook ‘friends’ who concocted sob stories, said awareness is the best defence against such crimes.

A police officer said it becomes difficult to trace the accused, as the police cannot locate their address, and with it diminishes chances of recovery (Rep pic/HT photo)

Sources from Cyber police station at BKC said they have at least six to seven cases registered with them from last year, in which women were duped by imposters, who posed as UK or US nationals, after gaining their trusts by cooking up an emotional story. Apart from these cases, myriad cases are registered at the local police stations. Another source claimed that investigation is on to find out whether the same gang is responsible for these con jobs. Moreover, involvement of Nigerian fraudsters has not been ruled out.

An officer said it becomes difficult to trace the accused, as the police cannot locate their address, and with it diminishes chances of recovery. Hence, such cases must be reported immediately to the police so that bank accounts in which money is being transferred can be frozen.

Speaking to HT, deputy commissioner of police (Cyber Crimes), Sachin Patil, said, “Reporting of such cases have increased this year. We believe awareness is the best cure for such cases. Women need to be aware of such fraudsters and should be cautious before accepting friend requests from strangers and while sharing their personal details with them. Fraudsters have even used international numbers to mislead their victims.”

Read

Man gets two-year jail term for cyber stalking, posting obscene pictures