Ghaziabad sees spurt in online fraud since demonetisation

There is a spurt in the number of complaints of fraudulent withdrawals from ATMs and unauthorised online transactions received by Ghaziabad’s cyber security cell

There is a spurt in the number of complaints of fraudulent withdrawals from ATMs and unauthorised online transactions received by Ghaziabad’s cyber security cell since the demonetisation of higher value notes was announced.

Officials said that ATM card PINs are being leaked due to multiple persons entering kiosks. (Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

Officials said that they received nearly 25 cyber security complaints since November 8, besides eight complaints related to fraudulent withdrawals from ATMs. This is in contrast to a total of 85 complaints filed in 2015 and 60 complaints filed between January 1 and November 8.

“In comparison to the earlier average, there has been an increase in complaints of online fraud received by the cyber security cell after November 8. We have roped in our expert officers to deal with the issue,” an officer with the cyber security cell said.

Officials said that instances of strangers calling up citizens and seeking their debit card details are on a rise. Officials said that leakage of ATM card PINs is also on the rise due to multiple persons standing inside a kiosk while withdrawing money.

On Wednesday, a 70-year-old retired air force officer Anirudh Lal, of Vasundhara, was allegedly duped of Rs30,000 from his bank account after an unidentified caller had procured his debit card details.“When the caller told me that my card may be blocked if I didn’t do as they said, I immediately thought that this might be due to increased scrutiny of bank accounts by the government,” Lal said. He said that the police need to stop such incidents. “Though the police assured me that the accused will be nabbed, all they have done is to put the contact number on surveillance. There should be more ways to nab such people,” he said.

A few days ago, two Indirapuram residents were duped of Rs85,300 and Rs70,000 in different incidents through online frauds, involving online wallet systems.

The cyber security cell of Ghaziabad is not fully equipped to track fraudsters.

“We are now stressing more on special training for our officers on issues related to cyber crimes. Efforts are on to equip our cyber cell with more advanced equipment. Our investigating officers will have to undergo a five to seven day training on cyber security,” Deepak Kumar, senior superintendent of police for Ghaziabad, said.

The cyber security cell of Ghaziabad is operating from a small unit and is not fully equipped to track fraudsters, unlike their Noida counterparts.

“We are now stressing more on special training for our officers on issues related to cyber crimes. Efforts are on to equip our cyber cell with more advanced equipment. Our investigating officers will have to undergo a five-seven day training on cyber security,” Deepak Kumar, senior superintendent of police, Ghaziabad, said.