13 December,2015 06:40 AM IST | | Ankoor Anvekar
Credit and debit card frauds via social media count as highest
Navi Mumbai cyber crimes
While Navi Mumbai heads towards becoming a smart city, police officials in the area indicate the steady rise in cyber crimes in the area over the years.
Several of these are linked to social media, especially Facebook, as revealed by data from the cyber crime cell. And, with Navi Mumbai heading in the direction of transforming into a smart city, things are only set to get worse. In 2012, a total of 626 cyber crimes were recorded, while this year the number has reached 1,053.
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In the last three years, debit and credit card frauds via social media have registered the highest numbers. In 2012, there were 72 recorded crimes on Facebook, as opposed to almost 100 this year. Similarly, debit card frauds were 154 in 2012, which has jumped to 494 this year.
Lottery frauds and abusive calls/messages have also increased. At a recent press meet, Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Prabhat Ranjan stressed on the need to increase staff in the cyber cell to tackle rising crimes. He further said that by making Navi Mumbai a Wi-Fi city, cyber crimes might increase further.
Speaking to SUNDAY mid-day, Inspector Pratibha Shendge, Navi Mumbai cyber crime cell in-charge, said, "There has been steady increase in cyber crimes due to advent of technology. More crimes are witnessed in social media sites and bankcards.
As a result of this year during our cyber safety week starting from December 14-19, we will focus on these issues and also provide solutions for the same. We urge residents to come forward and take lessons from these sessions."
For Cyber Safety Week from December 14 to 19, this year, the Navi Mumbai police has arranged sessions on topics such as data security, digital piracy, cyber terrorism, mobile forensics and banking and financial crimes.
