ZERO TOLERANCE: TGCSB CRACKS DOWN ON CYBERCRIME WITH 48 ARRESTS

IPS Shikha Goel, DGP CID and Director, Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB)

 “Telangana will not become a hub for cybercriminal activities. Anyone aiding, assisting, or abetting cybercrimes will be dealt with strictly as per the law. There’s a zero-tolerance policy towards cybercrimes.”

–IPS Shikha Goel, DGP CID and Director, Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB)

At a time when digital scams and online fraud are on the rise, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has taken a brave step to protect residents. With a clear commitment to keeping the state a cybercrime-free zone, the TGCSB recently carried out a methodically planned operation that resulted in the arrest of 48 criminals.

A STATEWIDE CRACKDOWN ON CYBERCRIME

The operation discovered an alarming number of cybercrimes—508 incidents in Telangana alone, with an additional 2,194 cases worldwide. The financial impact was astounding, with losses of ₹8,16,44,785. Criminals targeted individuals and businesses using various strategies, including business investment scams, job frauds, courier scams and digital frauds.

THE ROLE OF MULE ACCOUNTS

One notable discovery from the operation was the usage of mule accounts, which are bank accounts provided by individuals to assist unlawful transactions. The TGCSB identified 38 mule account holders and ten persons in charge of arranging these accounts. The agents persuaded account holders with promises of commissions, urging them to willingly disclose their information for fraudulent purposes. These individuals played an important role in cybercrime by assisting fraudsters in carrying out financial scams. Surprisingly, the arrested included not only unemployed people, but also professionals such as cab drivers, small business owners, and IT employees, demonstrating the wide range of persons engaging in cybercrime.

UNVEILING THE EVIDENCE

During the operation, 53 mobile phones, 4 laptops, 5 CPUs, and 2 monitors were seized as evidence of the crimes committed. • Includes 18 bank passbooks, 16 cheque books, and 10 ATM cards. • One Bajaj Pulsar bike.

A DEDICATED TEAM AT WORK

This victory was due to excellent teamwork and coordination. IPS Shikha Goel praised her team, which was led by SP Devender Singh and assisted by Deputy SPs K.V. Surya Prakash, Harikrishna, and KVM Prasad, as well as a devoted team of inspectors and officers. Their thorough preparation and execution were critical in taking down these criminal networks.

 

A PUBLIC APPEAL FOR VIGILANCE

While law enforcement organisations continue to combat cybercrime, the public plays an important role in prevention. TGCSB advises against providing personal or financial information with untrusted sources. • Verifying the validity of financial transactions and payment requests. • Report suspicious activities to TGCSB hotline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

This operation is more than just a demonstration of TGCSB's efficacy; it is also a wake-up call to hackers' increasing sophistication. As Ms. Goel's statements remind us, a zero-tolerance policy is more than simply a stance; it is a requirement to protect citizens in an increasingly digital environment. Telangana is setting a standard for cybercrime prevention through ongoing collaboration, awareness, and proactive actions, making the digital realm safer for all.