As cybercrime cases rise sharply, state strengthens its forensic response
The state reported a 200% surge from 1,606 cybercrime cases in 2022 to 4,801 in 2023, which further rose to 5,712 in 2024. This year, 3,258 cases have been reported in the first five months only.
The growing menace of cybercrime has also led to an overwhelming number of calls to the helpline number 1930, with approximately 25 lakh calls received in 2024-25. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal also reported around 94,000 complaints in the past year, with nearly 80,000 related to financial fraud, said a senior officer at Bihar Police headquarters (PHQ) on Wednesday.
Addressing the reporters at the PHQ, additional director general (ADG) of Crime Investigation Department (CID), Parasnath said, attributed the rise to an increasing use of the internet and digital transactions in the country. "The major types of cybercrimes being reported in Bihar are digital arrest, online fraud, bank scams, social media hacking, phishing, fake customer care calls and identity theft. Criminals often deceive people through phone calls, emails, social media, or fake websites to obtain their bank account details, passwords or OTPs, and then manipulate their funds," he said.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice
Grammarly
Install Now
Undo
To combat this issue, the state's Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Patna has been actively working on cybercrime cases, conducting technical examinations of mobile phones, laptops, CCTV footage and other digital evidence. In 2024, the FSL handled 255 cases, resolving 135 of them. By July 2025, 206 cases were received for investigation, with reports provided for 75 cases so far.
"The state govt has also approved the establishment of cyber forensic units in Patna and Rajgir.
National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar has been appointed as a consultant for this project. The Bihar govt has allocated approximately Rs 13 crore for this initiative. A memorandum of understanding was signed on July 29, between the Bihar CID and NFSU," the ADG said.
Under this agreement, the NFSU will provide technical assistance, consultancy services and training for the establishment of the cyber forensic laboratories.
The agreement is set to last for five years.
Parasnath said that additionally, NFSU will conduct specialised training programmes for Bihar police and forensic laboratory personnel to enhance their skills in handling cybercrime cases.
"The collaboration is expected to expedite the investigation process and improve the quality of investigations, instilling a sense of fear among cybercriminals and contributing to effective crime control in the state," he added.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
Drug trafficking, forcing migrant minors to work at hotels, visa fraud: Five Indian-Americans charged in Nebraska
Five Indian-origin hotel owners have been charged with trafficking, visa fraud in Nebraska. Five Indian-Americans have been charged by the federal authorities for sex trafficking at several hotel locations owned, operated and managed by them in Nebraska. Kentakumar 'Ken' Chaudhari (36), Rashmi Ajit 'Falguni' Samani (42), Amit Prahladbhai 'Amit' Chaudhari (32), Amit Babubhai 'Matt' Chaudhari (33), and Maheshkumar 'Mahesh' Chaudhari (38) are the five Indian-Americans involved in the case. Court documents said 10 minors were rescued during the operation from an alleged labor trafficking conspiracy that involved putting children under the age of 12 years old to work at hotels for long hours with little to no pay. The lodgings where they had to work were unclean, unsafe and unhealthy. "On one occasion, a source working with the federal government entered a hotel room where immigrant victims were sleeping on the floor of the room with cockroaches crawling on the victims as they slept," the DOJ note said. — USAO_NE (@USAO_NE) US attorney Lesley Woods said: 'There is no evil greater than the evil that seeks to trap, oppress, and exploit human beings for profit or pleasure. Where that evil exists, Nebraska law enforcement working together at the federal, state, and local levels, as occurred in this case, will seek it, find it, root it out, and ensure every rescued victim has an opportunity to obtain justice and freedom from their captors.' U visa fraud The racket, or at least one of the five Indian-Americans, was involved in a visa scam. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo This visa is meant for victims of certain crimes who suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to the law enforcement for the investigation of the crime. One hotel owner among the 5 charged hired a worker at a hotel to stage a fictitious robbery of one of the Brow and Lash salons in 2022. The goal was to secure a U visa for one of the other defendants by making her a 'victim' of the robbery. Dens of drug trafficking The complaint said these hotels use their premises for drug trafficking. "Drug traffickers allegedly received protection from law enforcement in the same manner in which human traffickers were also shielded by the hotel owners and managers. Overdoses were a common problem, and at least one hotel had to keep Narcan at the front desk as a result. One source cited described a stairwell of one of the hotels as being littered with drug needles. Drug use was open and notorious in the parking lots according to eyewitnesses and to some online guest reviews," the DOJ document said. Price to bring someone from India to America One of the accused engaged in conversations about what it would cost to bring someone from India to America. A number of hotel employees crossed the Arizona border several years ago and reported to Customs and Border Patrol they would be residing at one or more of the defendant's hotels, thereby indicating those arrangements were made prior to entering the country illegally. Migrants were also being transported illegally from Nebraska to Washington to get driver's licenses in Washington.
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Retired banker trapped in 42-hour ‘digital arrest for links with Pahalgam terrorists'; almost loses Rs 70 lakh
Bareilly: Bareilly: A 60-year-old woman, who recently retired from her job as a computer operator in a public sector bank, was kept under "digital arrest" by fraudsters for nearly 42 hours after they accused her of using her Aadhaar to buy a satellite phone and forge IDs for terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack, police said on Thursday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The scammers — posing as anti-terrorism squad, National Investigation Agency and Enforcement Directorate officers — contacted her in Bareilly, coerced her into arranging Rs 70 lakh for a "non-involvement certificate" before her brother's alert led to timely police intervention on Wednesday. Police located the caller's location to Meerut but investigations revealed that the number was issued on forged ID. Officers said the woman had been coerced into believing that the "agencies had issued arrest warrants against her as she had links to the terrorist attack" in which 26 civilians were killed. The scammers produced three forged documents — one purporting to be an arrest order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 — and threatened her with arrest unless she complied with their demands. The woman panicked and followed their instructions. The scammers told her to provide details of her assets, including gold, income tax returns and valuables. They insisted she secure a "non-involvement certificate" from them to prove her innocence, and she began arranging approximately Rs 70 lakh. When her brother became alarmed by her distressed messages, he contacted the police, who traced the calls and located the woman. Officers confronted the accused, who failed to answer questions, cut all communication and deleted their messages and records. The woman told TOI, "The cops, arriving on time, prevented my money loss. I want to urge everyone that digital arrest is nothing but a threat used by these accused to dupe people. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now " Bareilly (city) SP Manush Pareek said, "Operation Mahadev, the counter-terror operation launched after the Pahalgam attack, has been exploited by scammers in such cases to make their threats appear credible. We have initiated a probe and will trace their whereabouts soon. In such digital arrest cases, one should not panic and should immediately inform the police."
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
15 Bihar personnel selected for national police medals
Patna: A total of 15 security personnel were selected from the state for police medals on the eve of Independence Day in recognition of their gallantry, and distinguished and meritorious services. According to a list by the ministry of home affairs released on Thursday, seven personnel from the state will receive the Police Medal for Gallantry, two will get President Police Medal for Distinguished Service, and six the Police Medal for Meritorious Service. The recipients of the gallantry award are DIG-rank senior IPS officer Babu Ram, sub-inspectors Saket Saurabh, Ram Raj Singh and Tarbabu Yadav, besides constables Sanjay Kumar Chaudhary, Surendra Paswan and Vikas Kumar. Recognising their long-standing excellent, dedicated and exemplary services, senior IPS officers, Saran range DIG Nilesh Kumar and superintendent of police Sanjay Singh of the Anti-terrorist Squad have been selected for the President's medal. Additionally, six personnel, including three IPS officers from Bihar Police, will be awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service for their dedication, honesty and service spirit towards the public. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Back Pain Treatments That Might Surprise You! Back Pain Treatment | Search Ads Undo The list includes IG Garima Malik, SDPOs Smita Suman and Rajesh Ranjan, along with ASI Ashish Ranjan Singh and constables Bimal Chhetri and Sarvesh Kumar. "Receiving such national-level honours on Independence Day will boost the morale of Bihar Police. The recognition is not only a testament to the achievements of the awarded officers and personnel but also reflects the hard work, commitment and professional capability of the entire Bihar Police," said a press release issued by the headquarters. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
