Margao: In response to the increasing cases of online fraud and cyber crimes, a large-scale cyber crime awareness programme, Cyber Surakshit Goen, was launched across 17 police stations in South Goa on Wednesday.
The initiative, spearheaded by the South Goa District Police, was conducted under the guidance of the Chief Minister and the Director General of Police (DGP).
The awareness drive was carried out at various locations, including schools, colleges, railway stations, bus stands, and public areas, and targeted a wide range of groups, such as students, teachers, the elderly, mediapersons, taxi drivers, and motorcycle pilots.
Topics covered in the programme included different types of cyber crimes, their modus operandi, and preventive measures. The campaign highlighted issues like identity theft, online harassment, financial fraud, investment scams, cyberbullying, sextortion, phishing, and digital arrest.
Citizens were urged to report any cyber fraud immediately by calling 1930, visiting the NCRB portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in), or approaching the nearest police station.
The increasing number of cyber crime cases, including impersonation, identity theft, scams related to fake websites and apps, online job frauds, and even fake digital arrest frauds, prompted the awareness initiative.
As part of preventive measures, the public was advised to be cautious online by avoiding sharing bank details or OTPs, not clicking on suspicious links, and installing apps only from trusted sources.
Additionally, the public was educated on various sections of the Information Technology Act 2000 and the penalties for cyber crimes, defamation, and the impact of new criminal laws under BNS, BSA, and BNSS.
