Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa Police has arrested 24 accused persons in a major inter-state crackdown on cybercrime under Operation Cyber ‘Vigil 2.0’, conducted across 16 states. The coordinated operation involved 43 police teams from the North District Police, South District Police and Cyber Crime Police Station.
The operation was aimed at identifying, tracing and taking action against individuals involved in cyber fraud and other cyber-related offences. Apart from the 24 arrests, police issued or served 20 notices and detected 37 cybercrime cases involving a total fraud amount of ₹8,21,67,999.73 (approximately ₹8.22 crore).
The operation was conducted under the supervision of SP North Rahul Gupta, SP South Akshat Ayush and SP Cyber Jivba Dalvi, with close supervision by DIG Crime and Range Ved Prakash Surya, IPS, and overall guidance from IGP Keshav Ram Chaurasiya, IPS, and DGP Alok Kumar, IPS.
Highlighting its broader efforts against cybercrime, Goa Police Cyber Crime has secured approximately ₹15.94 crore through lien marking in suspected fraudulent bank accounts during 2026.
The department has also blocked 1,717 SIM cards, 722 social media handles and 814 fake websites to prevent their misuse in cyber fraud. Additionally, 306 Zero E-FIRs were converted into regular FIRs, while 644 Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM) requests were resolved.
Through the MRM Portal, ₹1,94,33,682 (approximately ₹1.94 crore) has also been refunded to victims of cyber fraud.
As part of its preventive initiatives, Goa Police conducted 80 cyber awareness programmes between August and November 2026, reaching approximately 8,100 participants across Goa and beyond.
The programmes covered schools, colleges, universities, government departments, banks, hotels, industrial establishments and community organisations. Awareness sessions focused on phishing, OTP and UPI frauds, fake investment schemes, digital arrest scams, online shopping frauds, identity theft, cyberstalking and social media impersonation.
A major awareness programme held in Mapusa on October 28 witnessed the participation of approximately 900 students from 13 schools and higher secondary institutions. Students were encouraged to become Cyber Awareness Ambassadors and spread cyber safety awareness among their families and communities.
Goa Police also extended its outreach beyond the state by conducting two awareness programmes at Naval Base Karwar, including sessions for personnel aboard INS Vikramaditya, reaching approximately 800 participants.
Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy towards cybercrime, Goa Police stated that strict legal action would be taken against those involved in cyber fraud. The department also urged citizens never to share OTPs, PINs or banking credentials and to remain cautious while conducting online transactions.
Citizens who become victims of cyber financial fraud are advised to immediately contact the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or report the incident through www.cybercrime.gov.in.
Goa Police said it would continue its enforcement and awareness initiatives to strengthen cyber safety and build a digitally responsible society.
