In Telangana, cybercriminals stole Rs 700 crore, but the victims received only Rs 7 crore.
In 2023, victims of cybercrime in Telangana suffered losses amounting to 707 crore. Despite police successfully freezing transactions worth 114 crore and refunding 7.29 crore to victims, the Director General of Police, Ravi Gupta, revealed an 8.97% increase in the overall crime rate, primarily attributed to cybercrime, constituting 17.59% of total crime.
Anticipating the challenges ahead, Gupta emphasized that controlling cybercrime would be a top priority for the police force in 2024. Initiatives to strengthen the Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau (TSCSB) and the TS-Anti Narcotics Bureau (TS-NAB) are already underway.
Despite a temporary glitch in the distress call center number for cybercrime victims, alternative arrangements through SMS services have been implemented since December 28. The police received a total of 85,030 cybercrime complaints, including 65,877 financial complaints and 19,153 non-financial complaints. They filed 12,317 First Information Reports (FIRs), and the process of phased money refund to victims is ongoing.
Addressing the drug issue, the DGP emphasized the need to target both the supply and demand chains, stating that focusing solely on abusers would not yield the desired results.
Commending the recent assembly elections for their peaceful conduct, the DGP highlighted the absence of left-wing extremism incidents. Throughout the year, the police arrested 148 Naxals, including high-ranking CPI Maoist leaders, and witnessed 13 surrenders. With 132 anti-Naxal field operations in Telangana and Chhattisgarh, the DGP showcased the police’s commitment to maintaining law and order.
Regarding the overall conviction rate, the DGP reported a 41% rate in 2023, slightly lower than the 43% recorded the previous year. In cases related to the violation of the NDPS Act, the conviction rate increased to 20% from the 19% recorded in 2022.
However, when questioned about the political row involving allegations of misuse of security vehicles and phone tapping during the previous government’s tenure, the DGP remained evasive, stating that such matters are usually addressed by the Intelligence Security Wing (ISW) and assured that they are currently investigating the issues raised by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
