2.44L complaints, 58,000 FIRs: TGCSB facilitates refund of Rs 350 crore to victims of online frauds

Hyderabad: Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has facilitated the refund of over Rs 350 crore to citizens who lost money to online fraud.

2.44 Lakh complaints handled, over 58,000 FIRs registered

TGCSB Director Shikha Goel said that since the bureau became fully operational, it has processed 2.44 lakh complaints received through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and registered 58,244 FIRs across Telangana. These efforts have led to large-scale recovery of defrauded funds and improved victim confidence.

Telangana outperforms national trends in cybercrime control.

Highlighting Telangana’s performance, Shikha Goel said that while cybercrime recorded a 29 per cent rise at the national level, the state achieved an 8 per cent decline.

She added that financial losses dropped by 30 per cent in Telangana, compared to a 6 per cent reduction across India. “This measurable progress places Telangana among the top-performing states in cybercrime management,” she said.

Helpline upgrade, ‘Put on Hold’ system key to success

The TGCSB Director credited the success to a series of systemic reforms, including the upgradation of the 1930 cybercrime helpline, strengthening of the ‘Put on Hold’ banking mechanism to instantly freeze suspicious transactions, and the development of a model refund framework in coordination with the High Court.

“These initiatives ensured faster intervention and quicker refunds to victims,” she explained.

‘Fraud Ka Full Stop’ campaign launched across Telangana.

Shikha Goel also launched “Fraud Ka Full Stop”, a six-week, statewide cyber awareness campaign initiated by TGCSB to curb online fraud and enhance public awareness on digital safety.

She termed the campaign a citizen-focused movement that blends physical outreach programmes with digital engagement.

Week-Wise Focus on Major Cyber Threats

The six-week programme will address one key cyber threat every week, including reporting cybercrime through 1930, digital arrest scams, investment frauds, hacking and identity theft, and online safety for women and children. She urged people to actively participate and make cyber safety a part of everyday life.

Cybercrime a Priority Area: DGP

Director General of Police (DGP) B Shivadhar Reddy stressed that cybercrime must be treated as a core policing priority across the state. Referring to the Chief Minister’s directives, he instructed all district officials to maintain strong coordination with TGCSB during the six-week campaign.

Awareness drive from police stations to the district level

The DGP directed that awareness programmes must be conducted at the police station level, SDPO level, and District level. He underlined the importance of educating citizens on major cybercrime methods such as digital arrest scams, investment and trading frauds, impersonation scams, OTP-based frauds, loan app harassment, and social media extortion.

“Only sustained awareness and quick reporting can break the chain of cybercrime,” he said.