Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Even as online fraud complaints continue to rise in Goa, cyber police have intensified enforcement, blocking 442 web links, 168 social media accounts, and 866 mobile numbers linked to fraudulent activities.
Replying to a starred question tabled by MLA Govind Gaude in the Assembly, Chief Minister and Home Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant said complaints related to online banking frauds, investment scams, and impersonation cases have increased in the state. He attributed the rise to improved awareness and reporting by citizens following sustained outreach by Goa Police.
To tackle the growing cyber threat, the Cyber Crime Police Station at Ribandar, along with cyber response cells across all police stations, has been strengthened and equipped with advanced investigation tools such as Sammanvay, Pratibimb, and Sahyog. Personnel are also undergoing regular training through the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and central detective training institutes.
Authorities are also focusing on victim support, with cyber officers assisting complainants in securing court orders for reversal of defrauded funds. Additionally, the Centre is set to roll out a Money Restoration Module under the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal to speed up recovery of stolen money.
Awareness campaigns are being conducted across schools, colleges, and public spaces to educate people about phishing, identity theft, and other online scams, while promoting safe internet practices.
The Goa Police has also introduced the E-Zero FIR system for quick registration of cyber financial fraud cases involving ₹1 lakh and above, enabling faster response in serious offences.
