Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis raised a concern about financial frauds topping the list of cyber crimes in Mumbai on Monday. Chief Minister Fadnavis stated that the government is continuously strengthening the network of cyber labs to curb cyber crime.
Speaking at a Mumbai Police event where he inaugurated the Nirbhaya Cyber Lab at D B Marg police station, the Chief Minister emphasised that we the police needs to be “technology-savvy” in tackling cyber crimes. The Chief Minister also flagged off hi-tech Mumbai Police vehicles at Monday’s event, which will be used to investigate cyber crimes.
Financial frauds top the list of cyber crimes
CM Fadnavis said that criminal minds are trying their best to execute cyber frauds, and highlighted the need to create capabilities to tackle them. He said the rate of cyber crimes will increase in future, more than other kinds of crimes. While dealing with cyber crime, “We need the force that deals with such criminals effectively,” he said.
The CM, who also heads the state home department, praised Mumbai Police’s efforts in tackling cyber crimes. “The Mumbai Police started three centres for cyber security, and I will say these are centres of excellence where advanced technology has been used,” he said. “In cyber crimes, financial frauds are at the top, offences like threatening and extortion are at the second place and sexual crimes at the third spot,” he further said.
Important to arrest accused ASAP: CM
The CM emphasised that it is important to arrest the accused as fast as possible to solve such kind of cases. In one case of cyber fraud, the victim had lost Rs 12 crore, but the Mumbai Police took action in time and saved around Rs 11.20 crore, the CM pointed out.
Digital transactions make us more vulnerable: CM
“We are number one in digital transactions in the world, due to which vulnerability has also increased,” Fadnavis said. While Indian citizens now have access to multiple platforms for digital transactions, this also gives cyber criminals an opportunity to breach the (financia)l gateways, he reminded.
“The war between them has already begun,” the CM added. “The best and most advanced technology labs are important, and I have seen the Mumbai Police’s capabilities in these labs,” he said. This will help in dealing effectively with the cyber criminals, the chief minister said. There are five cyber labs proposed in the city, Fadnavis said, expressing confidence that the facilities will help in solving cases of cyber crimes against women.
CM virtually inaugurated various initiatives
The Chief Minister on Monday virtually inaugurated several initiatives, including the Central Region Cyber Police Station at Worli, East Cyber Police Station at Govandi, forensic vans for women victims, and interceptor and speed guns to check over-speeding of vehicles. Now, 87 police stations in Mumbai have dedicated woman and child assistance cells which Fadnavis also inaugurated virtually.
Minister State for Home Yogesh Kadam, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Iqbal Singh Chahal, Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar and other senior police officials were present at the event.
