Mumbai, 8th Feb. Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar on Wednesday emphasized the urgent need of training police officials to investigate and prevent cyber crimes during a workshop on Wednesday.
Speaking at the training session organized for Mumbai Police’s ‘Cyber Commandos,’ Phansalkar stressed the urgency of equipping law enforcement with the necessary skills to tackle cyber threats effectively.
The event saw the introduction of specialized ‘Cyber Commandos’ trained to address cybercrime cases, alongside the unveiling of a helpline poster labeled 1930.
Phansalkar highlighted the alarming rise in cyber fraud, sextortion, identity theft, phishing, and cheating cases over the past two years, resulting in significant financial and reputational losses. He underscored the need for every police constable to possess computer and digital literacy, considering the pervasive threat posed by cybercrime.
In the upcoming phase, Mumbai Police plans to extend cybercrime investigation training to station house officers and other personnel, aiming to bolster their capabilities in combating online threats.
Collaborating with SBI, which boasts a substantial customer base in Mumbai, has proven instrumental in reaching out to a significant portion of the city’s population, Phansalkar noted. Additionally, raising public awareness about cybercrime remains a priority for law enforcement.
Special Police Commissioner Deven Bharti highlighted the success of the cyber helpline 1930, which has facilitated the freezing of over Rs 25 crore in transactions lost to online fraudsters. He emphasized the need for continuous training to enhance investigative skills in response to the escalating cybercrime landscape.
