Chennai: The Tamil Nadu cybercrime police have initiated a significant operation across the state to target cybercriminals involved in defrauding individuals.
Named ‘Operation Thiraineeku,’ this initiative has resulted in the arrest of 70 individuals linked to 135 complaints reported statewide. Special teams, operating under the guidance of District Superintendents of Police and Commissioners of Police, executed the operation, which was orchestrated by the State Cyber Crime Wing (CCW).
The operation was overseen by ADGP (Cyber Crime) Sandeep Mittal, who described the arrests as a major achievement in dismantling organized cybercrime networks in Tamil Nadu. The police stated that this operation is one of the largest of its kind in India, effectively targeting the core of the cybercrime infrastructure.
The operation utilized profiling of suspects through the National Cyber Crime Reporting (NCRP) Portal, data from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), and financial analysis of cybercriminal networks. Investigators followed bank fund trails linked to 158 NCRP complaints as a crucial part of their efforts.
Authorities are currently analyzing digital evidence and interrogating the arrested suspects to uncover more extensive criminal operations across the country. They are also working to apprehend additional members of the network, recover stolen funds, and identify broader connections to cybercrime activities.
Notably, the Greater Chennai City Police reported that from January to August 2024, 1,679 cybercrime cases were registered, with 1,589 involving financial fraud that resulted in losses of around Rs 189 crore. In Coimbatore, City Police Commissioner V. Balakrishnan noted a significant increase in cybercrime, with fraudsters stealing Rs 93 crore this year, compared to Rs 3 crore in 2021, Rs 13 crore in 2022, and Rs 48 crore in 2023.
By November 2024, complaints had reached Rs 98 crore in losses, with authorities managing to freeze about 50% of that amount (Rs 49.25 crore). Statewide, the cybercrime unit received 6,798 complaints this year, leading to 255 FIRs. Victims reported losses totaling Rs 93.04 crore, and the police arrested 41 suspects, with seven detained under the Goondas Act.
The police have issued warnings regarding various scams, including online share trading frauds, Digital Arrest scams impersonating FedEx or the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, part-time job scams, matrimonial frauds, and scams related to electricity bills or gifts. Victims are encouraged to report incidents within 24 hours on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) by calling the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or visiting www.cybercrime.gov.in. Prompt reporting can help freeze suspicious bank accounts, which is crucial for fund recovery.
Following a directive from the Madras High Court in July 2024, judicial officers have been instructed that the process of recovering cybercrime losses can commence based on an NCRP complaint and a report from the cybercrime police, even in the absence of an FIR.
The police have also advised the public to remain vigilant against high-profit investment advertisements, unknown apps, or unverified websites, urging individuals not to transfer money to unknown bank accounts.
In a notable case, the Cyber Crime Wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Chennai arrested two individuals for their role in an online share trading scam. A woman from Chennai, married to a businessman from Kotturpuram, was defrauded of Rs 10.27 crore. She was lured by a social media ad promoting investment trading tips, joined a WhatsApp group, and downloaded an online trading app through a link provided by the scammers. Between April and July, she transferred Rs 10.27 crore to various accounts provided by the fraudsters, but while her virtual account showed inflated profits, the funds never appeared in her actual bank account. Investigations are ongoing to recover the stolen money and identify other individuals involved in the scheme.