Watch out, you may be next victim of Cyber Crime

Everyone wants to secure his or her investment. Anant (name changed) also was no exception. A Government employee, he decided to take advantage of technological edge and opened e-banking account. Some time back, he received an e-mail from his bank. Unsuspecting, Anant provided all details related to e-banking account including PIN number and password, as sought in the e-mail he had received. Some days later, he received shock of his life to see that Rs 47,000 of his hard-earned money deposited in the bank account had vanished. Obviously, he had become a victim of cyber crime. 

Love is beautiful... at least till a jilted lover decides to make life of his beloved a hell. A college-going boy harboured tender feelings for a girl who was his tuition-friend. One day, he mustered courage and proposed her. As she did not harbour any such feeling, she said ‘no’ to him. Jilted, the boy decided to spoil her life. He got her photograph, uploaded it on computer, opened a web page in her name on Facebook, and posted obscene/vulgar photographs on her profile. The much-touted anonymity in cyber space also provided space for him to abuse the technology. In the process, the innocent girl fell victim to cyber crime of another kind. 

There are many such cases that have come to light in the past few years, in the Orange City. Cyber crime rate is rising consistently and significantly. Compared to 11 cases registered previous year, 12 have been recorded till June this year, which indicates rise in number of cyber crimes in the city. As per the figures available with the Cyber Cell of City Police, the year 2009 witnessed only four cases. Next year, the figure rose to six. In 2011, the number rose steeply to 11. Now, by the end of first half of the year 2012, number of reported cyber crime cases is 12. With the transactions taking place online and the younger as well as middle-aged generation’s inclination towards using Internet and efforts to have presence on social networking websites, the number is likely to go up by the end of this year.

“Cyber crime rate is increasing rapidly and more and more people are falling prey to various tactics applied by hackers and swindlers. There is need to create awareness among people about such crimes,” Assistant Police Inspector and In-Charge of Cyber Cell Tapan Kolhe told ‘The Hitavada’. According to him, maximum number of offences registered at various police stations in the city under Information Technology Act pertained to misuse of social networking sites.

Some cases of money transaction by using fake e-mail ID of banks also have been registered. “In cases of money transactions, we have arrested accused from Mumbai and other states also,” he added, hinting at the source and spread of such crime. Cyber crimes include credit card frauds, sending vulgar/obscene content, Identity theft, hacking and other fraudulent practices, etc. Unaware and unsuspecting citizens fall prey to various tricks of cyber-criminals.

Taufique Azad, a Certified Ethical Hacker and cyber security expert of Hans Anti-hacking Anticipation Society, told ‘The Hitavada’ that social networking sites like Facebook, You Tube and others were popular among youngsters. Among the youngsters, there was a growing tendency to ‘settle scores’ with someone through misuse and abuse of cyber space. “Creation of fake Facebook account or upload of any offensive video content is very simple,” he said.

However, he said, the investigating agencies could reach miscreants/abusers by tracing IP address. Phishing, Spam also were tactics used for cyber crime. Impersonation of any organisation/individual, overwhelming or overloading of an organisation’s website could be done easily these days. Though such crimes take place regularly in the city, he said, not all the victims reported them to police. 

Cyber crime cases in Nagpur 

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Year Cases 

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2009 04

2010 06

2011 11

2012 12

(Till June)

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Total 33 

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