Hyderabad police launch local cyber cells as cybercrimes surge 786% in 9 years

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad City Police has launched Zonal Cyber Cells (ZCCs) across all seven police zones. They said the initiative is a significant move to combat the alarming surge in cybercrime.

The initiative is aimed at decentralising cybercrime investigations and ensuring quicker, localised responses to digital offences ranging from financial fraud to social media abuse.

The ZCCs are expected to enhance the city’s capacity to respond swiftly to complaints, block fraudulent transactions and facilitate timely victim support, all while improving detection and conviction rates.

The decade of fighting cybercrime in Hyderabad

Hyderabad’s cybercrime policing began with the establishment of the Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS) on January 16, 2010, with a sanctioned strength of 40 personnel.

Recognising the evolving threat landscape, the CCPS was significantly strengthened in April 2023, expanding to a 147-member force led by a DCP and supported by specialists across investigation, technology, and law. This reorganisation laid the groundwork for the creation of ZCCs, making cyber policing more agile and accessible.

Cybercrime up by 786% in 9 nine years

The launch of ZCCs comes at a time when cybercrime in Hyderabad has witnessed a staggering 786 per cent rise over the last nine years.

The sharpest increase occurred between 2019 and 2020, when reported cases jumped from 1,393 to 2,550 — a spike attributed largely to increased digital activity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This consistent upward trend through 2024, police say, underscores both the growing prevalence of online fraud and improved public willingness to report incidents.

How will the zonal cyber cells serve the public?

Each Zonal Cyber Cell will operate under the supervision of the local Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and act as a dedicated hub for registering cybercrime complaints via the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), blocking fraudulent transactions in real-time, investigating digital fraud, tracing accused individuals, recovering lost funds, assisting victims with case updates, legal guidance, support coordinating with CCPS and external forensic experts for complex cases and organizing public awareness drives on cyber safety and preventive measures.

61 trained personnel trained in cyber forensics

To ensure seamless functioning, a total of 61 trained personnel have been assigned to the seven ZCCs, including seven Inspectors, seven Sub-Inspectors, three Head Constables, Police Constables (36), and Home Guards (8). All officers underwent a rigorous training program conducted by CCPS Hyderabad, featuring expert-led sessions on cyber forensics, digital law, and hands-on investigation practices.

Each ZCC has also been equipped with dedicated IT infrastructure, including two desktops and two laptops with internet, per ZCC Printers, executive workstations, visitor seating and secure documentation systems for victim handling and investigation

Dial 1930 for help

Citizens are encouraged to report cybercrimes by calling the helpline 1930 or visiting their nearest police station. Once registered in the NCRP as a petition or FIR, cases are forwarded to the relevant Zonal Cyber Cell for investigation. This revamped system ensures that complaints are addressed promptly, fraudulent losses are minimised, and offenders are identified swiftly.