PANAJI
In a major inter-State crackdown on cybercrime, Goa Police on Friday claimed to have arrested 24 accused across 16 States, issued 20 notices and solved 37 cyber fraud cases involving around Rs 8.22 crore under Operation Cyber ‘Vigil 2.0’.
The operation involved 43 police teams from the North and South District Police and the Cyber Crime Police Station, which tracked suspects allegedly operating cyber fraud networks beyond Goa.
Goa Police said the coordinated action reflected its resolve to pursue cybercriminals across State boundaries and bring them to justice, reiterating its zero-tolerance policy towards cyber offences.
Financial recovery
Separately, the Cyber Crime unit secured Rs 15.94 crore through lien marking in suspected fraudulent bank accounts during 2026 so far.
The unit also blocked 1,717 SIM cards, 722 social media handles and 814 fake websites. It converted 306 Zero E-FIRs into regular FIRs and resolved 644 Grievance Redressal Mechanism requests. It also facilitated refunds of Rs 1.94 crore (Rs 1,94,33,682) to victims through the MRM Portal.
Awareness drive
Between August and November, the department conducted 80 cyber awareness programmes, reaching around 8,100 people across Goa and beyond.
The programmes covered educational institutions, government departments, banks, hotels, industries and community organisations. Participants were sensitised to phishing, OTP and UPI frauds, fake investment schemes, job scams, digital arrest frauds, identity theft, online shopping frauds, cyberstalking, impersonation, harassment and sextortion.
Two programmes conducted outside Goa at the request of the Commanding Officer, Headquarters Naval Base Karwar, reached around 800 Navy personnel aboard INS Vikramaditya and at the Karwar naval base.
Goa Police urged citizens not to share OTPs, PINs or banking credentials and to report financial cyber frauds immediately through the national helpline 1930 or the portal www.cybercrime.gov.in.
