Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, June 27: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Crime Investigation Centre for Excellence (CICE) Jammu and Kashmir Yaseen Kichloo on Friday warned of rising cyber crime trends and urged citizens to exercise utmost caution while using digital platforms.
Addressing a press conference as per news agency JKNS said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ initiative, has already stressed on the importance of digital awareness. We are now seeing an increase in cyber complaints, particularly involving WhatsApp and Facebook,” he said.
He said that an important part of the Crime Department is known as CICE (Cybercrime Investigation Centre for Excellence), but common people are not aware of it. “I have come here from Jammu to spread awareness about it,” he added.
SSP Yaseen stated, Cyber investigation centers have been set up in our districts, and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has taken a commendable step by establishing a cyber police station in every district. Additionally, the Prime Minister of India is making significant efforts to raise public awareness.
He said, Last year, we recovered around ₹7 crore and returned it to the affected people’s bank accounts.
SSP Yaseen said, “We are receiving reports of WhatsApp accounts being hacked. Similarly, high-pixel images uploaded on Facebook can be misused. People must be careful about what they share.”
SSP also pointed to a disturbing trend involving image-based malware. “Fraudsters are sending pictures of elderly individuals. But hidden in those images is malware that can compromise your device.”
He also flagged the emergence of ‘cyber slavery’, saying, “This is a serious concern. Many youngsters are being lured and sent to foreign countries, where they are forced to work for organised cyber fraud networks.”
Touching on another worrying issue, SSP Yaseen said, “Sextortion cases are rising. People receive fake video calls, and later they are blackmailed using morphed or manipulated content. Everyone must avoid engaging in unknown video calls.”
Kichloo urged people to report suspicious cyber activity without hesitation. “If you are a victim or notice anything unusual, immediately contact the cyber helpline number 1903. Timely reporting is key to prevention.”
SSP Yaseen said that the need for public cooperation and cyber hygiene. “Awareness and caution are the first lines of defence. We are doing our part now citizens must stay alert and updated,” he said. (JKNS)
