There has been a marked rise in cases of online frauds, which increased to 2,300 in 2015, against 1,178 in 2014 and 747 in 2013, Minister of State for Home, Ahir told the Lok Sabha in another written reply.
Among States, the highest number of online fraud cases was registered in Maharashtra (1,266), as per data registered in National Crime Record Bureau. Then cases pertain to forgery and cheating.
Ahir said the government had taken steps for setting up 36 cybercrime training centres in States and Union Territories to train law enforcement agencies, police officers, public prosecutors and judicial Officers. He said the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team issues alerts and advisories on cyber threats and counter measures on regular basis.
No details were so far available of the composition and date of visit of the US Department of Justice (DOJ), which is contemplating on sending a team to India in connection with the recent cyber fraud cases that have come to light, the Home Ministry said on Tuesday.
“As per report received from DOJ, 20 individuals were arrested in USA on October 27, 2016, while 32 individuals and 5 call centres in India have been identified for investigation on their alleged involvement in the cyber fraud crime,” Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Ganagram Ahir, informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply.
The Minister’s reply came amid reports in October that the DOJ had charged 61 individuals and entities in India for their alleged involvement in a multi-million dollar cyber fraud emanating from call centres located in Ahmedabad.