By Manish Kumar
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 29: Increased penetration of internet into the city has made lives of many netizens easier. Netbanking, social networking sites, e-marketing and e-governance have relieved the common man of all hassles. However, with the passage of time, online fraudsters have also chipped into cyberspace to make a quick buck by conning net frenzy users.
Many in the city have been conned by fraudsters through internet use. While the police say cases of cybercrimes are not alarming, the popularity of internet has posed questions on the police preparedness to detect such crimes.
“A 70-year-old-man was recently conned by a lucrative online loan offer. He was told that his loan would be passed without hassles and much paper work. He was asked to submit an advance of `30,000 to avail of the loan facility. Without much fuss, the septuagenarian deposited the money only to realise that the person he believed innocently has disappeared with his money,” says Ashis Mukherjee, the victim’s lawyer.
Another client of Mukherjee was conned by a man who posted an ad online offering to sell his car. The person posted fake pictures of a new car and sought an advance just to finalise the deal. Soon, the person who took the money vanished along with the ad.
Legal experts here say many internet users are often conned. Lawyer Srikant Das says, “We have seen a surge in the number of online frauds. People often fall prey to catchy advertisements. They need to know all that glitters is not gold. Ads that promise quick money or extraordinary offers should always be scrutinised properly. Netizens should never rely on promises.”
Surprisingly, Bhubaneswar does not have a dedicated cell to investigate cases related to cybercrime. State government declared the office of superintendent of police, CB-CID, Cuttack as the Cyber Police Station. Since October 2, 2005, the Cyber Police station has been operational in the CB building.
Talking to Orissa Post, ACP Bishnu Mishra said, “We have not come across many cyber crimes in Bhubaneswar. Unlike in metros not many people here use credit cards and expose themselves for cases of credit card skimming. Also, not many people use internet and get exposed to such threats. However, we have a dedicated cell in Cuttack which takes care of cyber crimes. In Bhubaneswar we deal with investigations related to crimes relating to SIM card frauds.”
The latest data available on the website of Orissa Police says, “During 2013 many swindling cases were registered in the district of UPD Bhubaneswar (256), Balasore (169), UPD Cuttack (125), Puri (105), Mayurbhanj (80), Bhadrak (75), Ganjam (73), Sambalpur (68), Berhampur (66), Bolangir (66), Rourkela (66), Jagatsinghpur (61), Malkanagir (60), Kandhamal (55) and Kendrapara (54). The contributory factors for registration of such cases are the influx of fraudulent financial outfits that persuade people by promising huge benefits and subsequently wind up shop by cheating.”
