PANAJI
An alarmingly zero conviction in cyber frauds over the past seven years and victims often struggling to recover the money lost to the technologically-driven offenses have become troubling characteristics of investigation into such cases.
Despite efforts of cybercrime police to tackle these cases, investigators are unarguably enduring significant challenges given that cybercriminals are switching to advanced techniques to hide their identity, operating across borders and exploiting loopholes in the legal framework.
Goa Police, however, claim that they have been booking fraudsters whereas verdicts in only less than one percent of total pending trials are pronounced by the judiciary so far.
With no conviction since 2017 and two acquittals, dozens of cases are closed as ‘A Final’ and ‘C-Final’ while the remaining are either pending trial or under investigation. The data, available with The Goan, also indicates that quite a few accused booked in three cases were discharged by the Court.
Unidentified and untraceable accused in several cases have also raised concerns. The frauds continue as the latest figures reveal that from 23 cases registered in 2021, the State witnessed a sharp rise to 70 cases in 2022 and 13 cases in the first quarter of 2023.
Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) Shivendu Bhushan however claims that they have been proactive in cracking down on such cases.
“Cybercriminals are arrested and in certain offenses, we have been able to trace and arrest masterminds too. Similarly, recoveries happen. Bank accounts of victims are frozen no sooner there’s a call to our helpline number (1930) or complaint, and in cases where money is already transferred to the illegal account, we begin the process during the investigation stage,” the officer said speaking to The Goan.
In recent times, cases involving fake call centers operating through sophisticated networks and cricket betting scams have been on the rise.
Scammers posing as legitimate companies preying on unsuspecting victims, and using identity fraud tactics such as phishing, vishing and social engineering to extract personal and financial information are increasingly being reported.
Despite efforts, technical challenges come as a hindrance while in some cases, victims -- majorly foreign nationals -- are not keen to assist the probe.
“There are technical challenges because it's an evolving field. But, we have regular capacity building at the State and Centre-level and in collaboration with private entities,” Bhushan said.
Around half a dozen cases of fake call centers registered with the State police including the one at Colvale wherein violations of the lease agreement and police verification also came to the fore.
“In one case, the investigating officer sent mails to more than 50 US nationals who were victims of a fake call center racket, but none replied. Lack of victims’ statements is a problem,” SP Crime Branch Nidhin Valsan said.
