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The Hindu
17 hours ago
- The Hindu
Over ₹22 crore retrieved from cyber fraudsters by city police in five months
The Cyber Crime Police Stations and special cells of Greater Chennai City Police have retrieved over ₹22 crore altogether so far this year in cyber financial fraud cases that were reported in the city limits. To make it easier for people to file complaints, cyber crime cells were set up at the headquarters of each Deputy Commissioners of Police in the city. In addition to them, Cyber Crime Police Stations have been functioning at the offices of Joint Commissioners of Police zonal wise and at the Central Crime Branch to handle the cases relating to cyber crime. A senior police officer said a series of quick steps have been taken by Cyber Crime Police through the cells and police stations such as freezing the accounts of victims so as to prevent the cyber fraudsters from withdrawing further and retrieving money back into the victims' accounts. From May 1 to May 29, the Cyber Crime Police Station in Central Crime Branch has received 26 complaints on financial frauds and quickly retrieved ₹1.57 crore from fraudsters. Similarly ₹14.89 lakh was retrieved from 17 complaints by Cyber Crime Police in North Zone. ₹4 lakh in 25 cases in West Zone, ₹36 lakh in 44 cases, and ₹18 lakh in 32 cases were retrieved. The city police said they have retrieved altogether ₹2.31 crore in the month of May. Between January 1 and May 29, the Cyber Crime Police Station in Central Crime Branch has retrieved over ₹7 crore following 582 complaints lodged with them on financial cyber frauds. Altogether, ₹10.25 crore were retrieved in 1,284 cases that were lodged with all cyber crime police units. Apart from that, ₹36 crore were frozen based on complaints lodged with the Central Crime Branch and orders of the courts. ₹12 crore was retrieved back to victims additionally, said police. City Police Commissioner A. Arun appealed to the public to be careful about high profit investment advertisements, fake investment apps, websites and advised the people not to transfer money into unknown bank accounts. Public are requested to contact Cyber Crime Helpline Number 1930 or register a complaint in in case of any cyber related offences.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Karnataka raises legal age to buy tobacco products to 21, bans hookah bars
The Karnataka government on Friday officially notified a sweeping amendment to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, with stricter measures aimed at curbing tobacco use across the state. The COTPA (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2024, received presidential assent on May 23 and was published in the state gazette on May 30. Among the key changes, the legal age to purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products in Karnataka has been raised from 18 to 21 years. Additionally, the sale of tobacco products within 100 metres of any educational institution has been prohibited, and the sale of loose cigarettes or single sticks is no longer allowed. In a significant move to discourage alternative tobacco consumption, the amendment also bans hookah bars across the state. The new Section 4A introduced under the Act prohibits the operation of hookah bars in any premises, including restaurants, pubs, or cafes. Violators operating hookah bars will face imprisonment of one to three years, along with fines ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh, under the newly added Section 21A. The definition of 'use' of tobacco in public places has also been expanded to include both smoking and spitting, with a continued allowance for designated smoking areas in hotels with over 30 rooms, restaurants with seating for more than 30 people, and airports. Also, penalties for violating tobacco use rules in public places have been increased. Fines under sections 21, 24, and 28 of the Act have been raised from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000. The Karnataka government has stated that the amendment is part of a broader effort to strengthen public health safeguards, particularly for younger populations and in sensitive areas like schools and colleges. In fact, despite a government order banning hookah bars in 2024, many hookah cafes were still illegally operating in suburban areas of Bengaluru. The Central Crime Branch has since identified and raided 20 such establishments, seizing hookah pots and flavours worth over Rs 12 lakh. The Karnataka High Court's April 2024 ruling also dismissed challenges from restaurant owners, affirming the ban's legality under Article 47 of the Constitution, which mandates states to protect public health. The court noted that hookah bars, even those offering 'herbal hookah', violate regulations due to the presence of harmful substances like nicotine and molasses.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Three foreigners held for obtaining Indian passport using fake documents in Chennai
CHENNAI: Three foreign nationals were arrested in Chennai for allegedly obtaining Indian passports using fake documents. The three — Mohammed Kasim Pathan (41) of Bangladesh, Sangupillai Sarojini Devi (58) of Sri Lanka, and Dhanraj Pokhriyal (40) of Nepal— were arrested by the Central Crime Branch based on a complaint from the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer at Chennai International Airport on Tuesday. The police said four Indian nationals - Bina Das (54) of Odisha, Ramamurthy (44) of Nagapattinam, Chennamma (45) of Andhra Pradesh, and Barkathullah (59) Sivaganga - were also detained for aiding the trio. A probe is on to trace the travel agents involved in the case. According to police, investigations revealed that the four foreign nationals concealed their true identities, used forged Indian documents such as Aadhaar, voter ID, and PAN cards to secure Indian passports in order to be able to travel abroad. They were remanded in judicial custody on Thursday.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Seven persons held for holding fake passports
The Central Crime Branch has arrested seven persons, including three foreign nationals, for allegedly obtaining passports through fraudulent methods, and attempting to travel abroad for jobs. Following a complaint from an immigration official at Anna International Airport in Chennai, the police arrested them. The complainant alleged that the passengers concealed their identities, and presented forged documents, using which they obtained Indian passports through illegal agents, and attempted to fly out of the country in search of jobs. The arrested persons have been identified as Mohammed Kasim Pathan, 42 of Bangladesh; Sangu Pillai Sarojini Devi, 58 of Sri Lanka; Dhanraj Pokriyal, 40 of Nepal; Bina Das, 54 of Odisha; Ramamurthy, 44 of Nagapattinam; Chennama, 45 of Andhra Pradeshl; and Baragthulla, 59 of Sivaganga. Efforts are on to trace the suspects who abetted the crime.
India Today
6 days ago
- India Today
31 IT professionals held by Bengaluru Police for drug possession at rave party
Bengaluru Police arrested 31 people, including seven women, for allegedly consuming and possessing narcotic substances during a birthday celebration at a raid, conducted around 5 am on Sunday near Kannamangala Gate in Devanahalli taluk following a tip-off, uncovered the use of cocaine, hashish and a drug referred to as hydro said the party appeared to be a birthday celebration where drugs were allegedly procured for overnight All those arrested are said to be employees of private IT companies. Their blood and urine samples have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis. A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.'We have taken 31 people into custody, including 24 men and 7 women. There were both peddlers and consumers present,' said Sajeeth, DCP North East. 'We recovered cocaine, hashish, hydro ganja, and other narcotics from the spot, all of which have been seized.'Police said investigations are isn't the first time rave parties disguised as birthday celebrations have come under the scanner in May last year, the Central Crime Branch raided a similar party at a farmhouse near Electronic City and seized 17 MDMA pills and cocaine. The event, which continued past 2 am, had over 100 attendees, including 25 women, from Andhra Pradesh and InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Bengaluru#Karnataka
