Call 1930 to report cyber fraud; 90,000 people did, Rs 133 cr frozen since Jan.2020

HYDERABAD: Telangana has taken a pioneering step in addressing cyber threats with the launch of the nation's first fully operational 1930 helpline center, a part of the Telangana State Police Cyber Security Bureau (TSPCSB).

TSPCSB's proactive measures have resulted in the freezing of suspected amounts exceeding Rs.128 Crore and the refunding of nearly Rs. 8 crores to victims. Telangana not only has its exclusive cyber security bureau but also houses a dedicated call center for 1930, the national helpline for cybercrimes, known as Telangana Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (T4C).

T4C, popularly known as the '1930 Call Centre,' has emerged as a pivotal asset in Telangana's arsenal against cyber threats, having handled over 90,000 calls since its inception in January 2020. The bureau has registered 14,000 FIRs, frozen 133 crores of accused assets, and blocked 30,000 offenders' SIMs with the assistance of the 1930 call center, which received all the calls.

According to the State/UT wise details of the citizen financial fraud reporting management system for the period from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, the 1930 call centre in Telangana received a total of 71,426 complaints. The reported total amount was Rs. 75,905.62 lakhs. Out of this amount, Rs. 13,137.94 lakhs were identified as lien, and 26,148 complaints were put on hold for further review.

Learn more about the operations of 1930 call centre and how it protects innocent cybercrime victims from being duped by criminals?

The Telangana Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (T4C), or 1930 call centre, which is located on the third floor of the Integrated Command & Control Centre (ICCC), handles approximately 2,000 calls daily, with 50 percent of these calls relating to investment frauds, totaling around 1,000 serious complaints across Telangana.

There are 28 different modus operandis observed in these fraud cases, amounting to an estimated loss of 3 crore rupees per day. In recent times, the most prevalent modus operandi for cybercriminals includes part-time job fraud, investment fraud, and FedEx frauds. The staggering number of 700 complaints regarding FedEx frauds reported last year. Additionally, financial fraud cases amounted to losses of up to Rs. 750 crores in the past year alone.

Once callers dial 1930, they are prompted to choose from three options via an IVR system: Financial, Non-financial, or Status. Once the callers select one option among the above three, call operators collect detailed information, including suspect details, victim details, and bank details.

The call centre team takes immediate action within a few minutes of the call, including blocking the amount in question within five minutes and raising a complaint on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRB)

The 1930 Call Centre operates with three teams

• Bank and Modal Follow-up Team
• Complaint Monitoring Team

Initially launched with 15 members, the 1930 call centre team has now expanded to 46 members who operate in three shifts: 8 AM to 2 PM, 2 PM to 8 PM, and 8 PM to 2 AM.

"We address all financial complaints, including those related to various platforms such as FedEx, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. Over the past year, we've handled around 700 complaints from FedEx alone and uncovered financial fraud amounting to a staggering 750 crore rupees. These fraudsters use hacked social media accounts to create WhatsApp groups and contact friends, often luring them into investment schemes, which constitute the largest category of fraud," said Sub-Inspector Sirisha, Team Lead (1930 call centre).

Sirisha highlighted that their team primarily handles financial calls, while non-financial queries are redirected to another WhatsApp team available round-the-clock. She stressed the importance of victims contacting them immediately in case of financial fraud, as they can swiftly block the amount within five minutes and file a complaint on the NCRB portal. However, for filing an FIR, victims must physically visit a nearby police station, she adds.

Based on the complaints data analysed by the 1930 call centre, Cyberabad registered the highest number of complaints, followed by Hyderabad and Rachakonda, indicating a concerning surge in cybercrime activity. Sirisha, acknowledging this trend, attributes the rise in cybercrime to a lack of awareness among the majority of victims.

She said that cybercriminals exploit fear-based tactics, leading victims to divulge confidential information. Additionally, some individuals fall prey to financial fraud due to desires or greed for quick money. Sirisha emphasised the importance of basic precautions to safeguard against cybercrime, such as avoiding unknown calls, practicing cyber hygiene, and refraining from sharing confidential details with strangers.

She highlighted a case involving a college student who unwittingly took out a loan of Rs. 5,000 through a loan app due to lack of awareness, illustrating how cybercriminals target innocent victims.

Sirisha advises victims to call them first to initiate preliminary investigation steps and block any lost amount. She clarifies that if funds were stolen directly from a wallet, they are promptly refunded to the victim, whereas if the theft occurred from a bank account, a court order is required for reimbursement.

Have a cyber-complaint? Don't know where to report? Call 1930 immediately as accounts can be frozen within five minutes of receiving a complaint!