Representational Image— DC File

KURNOOL: The rising number of cybercrime cases in Andhra Pradesh and low recovery rates are raising concern, with police officials attributing the difficulty in detection and recovery to the involvement of inter-state gangs.

Under-reporting of cases has also been cited as a factor masking the extent of the problem.

Sources said that at one stage fewer FIRs were being registered to avoid publicity to poor recovery rates. In some cases, freezing bank accounts linked to suspicious transactions has also affected people who were not connected to the offences.

Official data shows that the state police department's toll-free helpline receives an average of 9.29 lakh calls a year, of which more than 72,000 are related to cybercrime, accounting for over eight per cent of the calls.

G. Viswamurthy, a schoolteacher from Anantapur, said he lost ₹10,000 in an online fraud. “I lodged a complaint, but even after a year and a half, I have not received my money. There is no significant follow-up,” he said.

Police officials say most cybercrime offenders operate as part of inter-state gangs, making their identification and recovery of money difficult. A cyber law expert, however, felt at least 50 per cent of complaints should be converted into FIRs.

“Out of 72,000 calls, registering only around 2,000 FIRs annually raises serious questions,” the expert said.

A recent incident in Kurnool town, in which SIM cards were allegedly used to siphon off welfare funds from women, highlighted the changing methods used by cybercriminals. Police sources said cybercrime cases were increasing in the district with the growing use of smartphones.

Cybercriminals reportedly siphoned off more than ₹650 crore from the state during the past year, while recovery remained below three per cent. Police said ₹116 crore had been seized. However, freezing of accounts in such cases has also caused difficulties for unrelated account holders.

N. Harikumar, a mobile shop owner in Kurnool, said, “A customer paid ₹14,500 via PhonePe. Later, my entire account with ₹1.75 lakh was frozen, saying the transaction was linked to a cybercriminal. How can we verify every customer?”

Experts stressed the need for better coordination among police agencies in different states to trace offenders and recover money. “If money is unsafe both at home and in banks, people are left with no other option,” a victim said.

Nandyal district SP Sunil Sheron said, “Not every cyber complaint requires an FIR. For losses below ₹50,000, victims can apply through the portal, and recovery is possible. FIRs will be registered wherever necessary.”


Cybercrime Cases In One Year

.........

Category - Number

Calls received on 1930 helpline - 9.29 lakh

Cybercrime-related calls - 72,000

Amount looted by cybercriminals - ₹652 crore

FIRs registered - 2,528

Amount frozen - ₹116.7 crore


Situation tense in Tadipatri over YSRC protest

Tense sitution prevailed at Muchukota on the Tadipatri Assembly constituency border on Monday after police stopped YSRC leaders led by former minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy from proceeding to Tadipatri, citing law and order concerns.

The YSRC had called for a protest in Tadipatri demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in DSC recruitment. Ramachandra Reddy, who is in charge of the Rayalaseema region, arrived in Anantapur and proceeded towards Tadipatri along with Anantapur district president Ananta Venkatarami Reddy and other party leaders.

Meanwhile, TD MLA J.C. Asmith Reddy and party cadres were participating in the Intintiki Telugu Desam programme in Tadipatri town.

Police stopped the YSRC leaders at Muchukota and told them that permission had not been granted for any protest in Tadipatri. Ramachandra Reddy and Venkatarami Reddy staged a protest on the main road at Muchukota, alleging that the police were acting at the direction of TD leaders.

Police detained the YSRC leaders and shifted them to Anantapur.

Tadipatri police also detained YSRC in-charge K. Pedda Reddy when he attempted to stage a protest in Tadipatri.

3-year-old girl dies as car rams into tractor on NH-16

A three-year-old girl has died and three others were injured when a car travelling from Nellore towards Uttar Pradesh rammed into a tractor from behind on NH-16 near Sunnapubatti in Dagadarthi mandal on Monday morning.

The car was reportedly heading towards Agra when it collided with the tractor near Sunnapubatti.

The girl died on the spot. Her mother suffered serious injuries, while the driver and his eight-year-old daughter sustained minor injuries. The driver’s brother was also travelling in the car.

The tractor was being driven by Battula Srinivasulu, 51, of Peyyalapalem in Kodavalur mandal, and was proceeding towards Sunnapubatti from Peyyalapalem.

Highway mobile personnel provided first aid to the injured. Police reached the spot and began an investigation into the accident.

BTech student allegedly kidnapped, rescued near Kadapa airport

A BTech student was allegedly kidnapped by unidentified persons in Vallur mandal of YSR Kadapa district on Monday and was later rescued near Kadapa airport, police said.

The student, G. Sai Pranav Kumar, was reportedly forced into a car by four persons who then fled. His family members lodged a complaint with police.

Police traced the student within a few hours and found him near Satellite City, close to Kadapa airport. The suspects allegedly abandoned him on seeing the police and escaped.

Vallur sub-inspector G. Sivanagi Reddy is questioning Sai Pranav Kumar. Police suspect that the incident may be linked to financial dealings or a personal relationship.

A case has been registered and efforts are under way to trace the accused, the SI said.

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