There has been a significant rise in cyber crime cases in the state since last year’s Covid-19 outbreak, according to data ofUttarakhandpolice’sSpecial Task Force(STF).
While there were around 1,800 complaints received and 200 FIRs registered in 2018, the complaints rose to over 3,600 with 261 FIRs in 2019. The cases increased exponentially in 2020 with 6,333 cyber fraud-related complaints received while 420 FIRs were registered.
Significantly, even theUnited Nationsreported a 350% rise in phishing websites during the pandemic.
Moreover, the latest cybersafe report of the Union Home ministry has placed Dehradun fifth in the country in terms of number of victims of such a crime. The report states at least 3,056 in Dehradun district fell prey to cyber crimes from August 1, 2019 to May 31, 2021.