Ghaziabad gets cyber crime cell to probe online frauds

The present special investigation squad is being upgraded and turned into a cyber crime cell. The officials of the unit will be trained in latest techniques.

The district police have decided to start a full-fledged cyber crime cell. Eleven personnel will be posted in the cell initially.

The present special investigation squad is being upgraded and turned into a cyber crime cell. (Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

Senior officials said the present special investigation squad is being upgraded and turned into a cyber crime cell. The officials of the unit will be trained in latest techniques. They cell will be equipped with all needed software and other facilities.

“Nowadays, most of the frauds are related to online shopping done through credit and debit cards. Even ATM cards are misused a lot. We have deputed a full team, including seven inspectors, since such cases should be investigated by an inspector-rank officer,” said KS Emannuel, senior superintendent of police (SSP).

Officials said any case of cyber fraud will be lodged at the jurisdictional police station and will be later transferred to the cyber cell.

“An official has been posted to the cell as ‘computer programmer’. The cell will operate from the premises of the crime branch unit,” the SSP said.

The police said with the establishment of the cyber cell, they will be able to deal with cases of cyber fraud in countries having mutual legal assistance treaty as well as those which are not signatories to the treaty.

Police sources said most of the cases of cyber fraud have been closed as the accused could not be located.

According to the official record, 77 cases were registered under the provisions of the IT Act in 2014.

In 2015, 43 cases were lodged and 11 charge-sheets were filed. For 19 cases, final reports were forwarded to the court by the police. A total of 13 cases, cumulative from previous years, are being investigated.

In 2016, the police lodged 26 cases till May 31. In the year, 12 final reports were filed for closure of cases and eight charge-sheets were filed. Nineteen cases are presently under investigation.