Cyber Crime Soars in Kozhikode: Over 2.5 Cr Incidents Recorded in Three Months
Kozhikode has witnessed a significant rise in cyber criminal activities, recording a staggering 2.5 million cases in the preceding three months.
On a daily basis, the police receive around 10 to 12 reports of cyber-related incidents. Notably, July saw the district facing cases of fraudulent transactions amounting to a total of Rs 92 lakh.
Cyber offenders are exploiting applications such as RustDesk, AnyDesk, and Quick Desk, utilizing their screen sharing functionalities to deceive individuals and illicitly acquire money.
An illustrative case involved a swindler siphoning off a substantial sum from a Kozhikode-based doctor who had utilized an online platform to lease his property. Meanwhile, numerous people are falling victim to honey trap schemes.
In a notable occurrence, a resident of Azhiyur lost Rs 40,000 to scammers after being promised Rs 5 lakh for participating as a sperm donor in an infertility clinic. Additionally, children are not spared from various cyber offenses, particularly those involving personal photos shared on social media networks.
Cyber law enforcement officials recommend that victims of cyber fraud reach out by dialing 1930 and officially reporting the incident via the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). This approach increases the chances of freezing the wrongdoer’s bank account and recouping the misappropriated funds.
A recent incident involving AI-driven fraud created a stir in the district when an individual from Gujarat exploited “deepfake” technology to pose as an elderly man’s friend and embezzle Rs 40,000 from him. Although law enforcement has identified the perpetrator, this event has sparked a discussion on the dangers posed by sophisticated “deepfake” tactics.
