Mysuru: Digital transactions have accelerated rapidly especially after the exercise of demonetisation by the Government. Cyber attacks and siphoning of money from bank accounts make the vulnerabilities of bank cyber security discernible, leaving account holders worried.

Increase in cyber crimes is mounting pressure on the Police to focus on social media sites. It has also made the Police top brass in Karnataka to tour cities to keep an eye on the number of cases reported in a particular city. They are holding a series of meetings with Commissionerates to tackle cyber crimes.

One such meeting was held in city yesterday where Additional Director General of Police-Crimes & Technical Services K.V. Gagandeep addressed Police officers including City Police Commissioner Dr. A. Subrahmanyeswara Rao.

At the meeting, it was brought to his notice that in 2015, 37 cyber crime cases were reported in Mysuru and in 2016, 17  cases were reported. In 2017, till June, 15 cases of cyber fraud were reported.

Cyber crimes such as online frauds, hacking of websites and bank frauds are on the rise. Stating that such cases were being transferred to experts to take up investigation, Gagandeep expressed concern over the increased cyber crime cases in Mysuru in the last three years. Steps should be taken to keep a check on some social media sites created by fraudsters and provide security for all official sites, he opined.

Over the last three years, card fraud cases have been steadily rising, but the Police’s detection rate has remained poor.

The ADGP regretted that most of the victims of the cyber crime were educated. “Treat all the cyber crime cases seriously and ensure that arrests are made. Only arrests will ensure that such crimes are curbed. Police officers, instead of dodging cyber crime cases, must assure the complainants that their cases will be taken seriously and investigated,” he said. The ADGP added that quick response will help to track cyber frauds.

Discussing other issues, Gagandeep appreciated the City Police for controlling chain-snatching incidents that were rampant in Mysuru. He asked patrol teams, PCR Garuda and Cheetah staff to closely monitor city roads so that the constant vigil can become a deterrent. “Only when you watch you will be able to spot chain-snatchers,” he said.

The ADGP also informed officers and staff that there has been a spurt in human trafficking in Karnataka. “The moment you receive information about human trafficking you must immediately act as the safety of women and children are of prime importance,” Gagandeep said.

On the dilapidating infrastructure at Devaraja and Lakshmipuram Police Stations, he asked Commissioner Subrahmanyeswara Rao to send a proposal to renovate and refurbish them. He assured that funds to renovate the Stations would be released and basic facilities would be provided. He also said that vacant posts in the Department would be filled up soon.

SURPRISE VISIT

Soon after the meeting on cyber crime, ADGP K.V.  Gagandeep visited the Jayalakshmipuram Police Station where there is a long list of rowdy-sheeters, thanks to the Station’s proximity to areas including Paduvarahalli and parts of Vontikoppal. His visit, however, surprised the officials and the personnel at the Police Station.

In his meeting with Jayalakshmipuram Police, he asked them what steps they have taken to control rowdy-sheeters. He suggested several measures to curb rowdy activities and also gave them tips to handle tricky situation where rowdies are involved with some dealings with residents.