Dial 1930: Cyberabad police launch Project PROTECT to raise awareness about cyber frauds

Hyderabad: Cyberabad police today said people residing in commissionerate jurisdiction have lost Rs 700 crore to scammers in FedEx, digital arrests, and investment frauds.

Authorities said that one of the biggest obstacles to reducing cybercrime is a lack of awareness.

Waking up to this issue, the Cyberabad police have launched Project PROTECT (Preventing Risks Online Through Education, Collaboration, and Training). The launch of the project took place at the Cyberabad Commissioner of Police's office.

The Cyberabad police and the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC), the police department's special awareness-raising wing, collaborated on the project. The program seeks to raise awareness round the clock by working with the media and social media influencers, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Cyberabad CP Avinash Mohanty, said, "Cybercrime has become one of the fastest-growing challenges in our society today, and it is a privilege for all of us to gather here to discuss solutions. Every year, cybercrimes are compounding at an alarming rate, and our investigations and efforts must also compound proportionately to tackle this menace.”

Regarding the widespread use of digital arrests, the commissioner said, “One of the most concerning trends we see is digital arrest– where people, out of fear, end up sharing their bank details and personal information with fraudsters. I urge everyone not to do that. Always remember the most important number to combat cyber crimes: 1930. This helpline can save you from significant loss and distress,” the CP said.

The Commissioner urged the media, social media influencers, students, and police to join hands and spread awareness about 1930. Mainstream and social media platforms, with their reach and content, can play a significant role in popularizing this number, he added.

DCP Cyber Crimes Sreebala, who is the brain behind the project PROTECT, said that policing is not just a job but a responsibility. She emphasized that in most cybercrimes, people not only lose money but sometimes even their lives.

"We need education, collaboration, and continuous training to combat these crimes effectively. This is not merely an initiative; it is a project PROTECT—designed to protect people from cyber threats." the DCP said

"This initiative aims to empower citizens with critical knowledge about the latest cybercrimes and equip them to safeguard themselves against evolving threats. The Cybercrime Mega Awareness Drive, scheduled for December 18, 2024, will be conducted across the Cyberabad Commissionerate,” Sreebala said.

Police personnel and volunteers will actively engage with citizens through interactive sessions, street plays (Nukkad Natak), and other awareness activities at high-footfall locations such as colleges, corporate offices, malls, banks, parks, metro stations, and public hubs. The theme of PROTECT is "Let’s join hands to create a secure digital future." Together, we can “Make A Difference On The Go, the Cyberabad police said.