Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Highlights Cyber Crime Awareness and Vigilance
Addressing Cyber Crime Challenges
On Monday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh emphasized the importance of vigilance and awareness in combating digital crimes, including the phenomenon known as 'digital arrest.'
'Digital arrest' refers to a type of cybercrime where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials, falsely accusing individuals of legal violations to extort money or personal information from them.
In a detailed post shared on the social media platform X, titled 'Yogi Ki Paati,' the Chief Minister noted that prior to 2017, the state had only two cybercrime police stations. Currently, all 75 districts have operational cybercrime units, and 'cyber help desks' have been established in every district police station. Vigilance and awareness are the most effective tools against cyber fraudsters.
He further stated, 'These criminals use deceptive terms like digital arrest to intimidate innocent citizens and extort money from them. There is no provision for digital arrest in any law of the country. Police or any government agency does not arrest individuals via video calls, WhatsApp, or social media, nor do they demand money.'
The Chief Minister also cautioned about the use of social media, advising individuals to be careful about the images, videos, or locations they share publicly, as criminals gather information through these means to exploit them. He urged people not to share personal information or OTPs with anyone.
He added that if someone falls victim to cybercrime despite taking precautions, they should immediately report it to the helpline number. 'The sooner you inform the police, the higher the chances of recovery. Stay aware and educate those around you, especially senior citizens. Let us all work together to create a safe and cybercrime-free Uttar Pradesh.'