The Madhya Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, has announced a decisive move to curtail the rising cyber-crime menace. The state government on Friday has constituted a high-level committee aimed at cracking down on digital scams and deceptive practices taking place only. The panel has been directed to initiate strict action against persons and organisations that fraudulently siphon off peoples’ money under false pretences.

Authorities believe that the initiative will significantly strengthen enforcement and prevention mechanisms across the state.

ACS from 6 depts, senior cops in the panel

The newly-constituted committee comprises senior administrative officials, including Additional Chief Secretaries (ACS) from six departments, the Additional Director General of the Crime Investigation Department (CID) and representatives nominated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Besides enforcement, the panel will focus on spreading awareness and financial literacy among commoners. Officials will also conceive strategies to facilitate the recovery of the money lost in cyber frauds. Key departments involved in the initiative include school education, higher education, technical education, skill development, urban administration and rural development.

Rising cyber-crime cases ring alarm bells

The MP government has voiced concern over the steep spike in cyber fraud cases, where cheats employ a range of tactics, including offering loans, promising high-return investments, fake property deals and fraudulent online offers.

The digital arrest scam has also emerged as a worrying trend, where people are told that their bank accounts are linked to illicit activities or that their kin is implicated in a crime. Panic-stricken victims often transfer money to the scamsters’ bank accounts.

Senior officials from multiple departments, along with the CID and RBI representatives, will play a key role in executing targeted awareness campaigns. The goal of these initiatives is to educate the public about newly-concocted cyber crime techniques and ensure swift action in reported cases.

The state government is optimistic about the newly-implemented approach, believing it will help avert cyber-crime significantly.

Also read: UP woman, mother of 2, dies by suicide days after digital arrest scam; leaves behind suicide note