The police department is implementing a very ambitious strategy to curb the ever-increasing cyber crime in the state of Telangana. The state-wide “Operation Crackdown 2.0” has been launched with an aim to root out the network of cyber criminals.The massive operation has now become the talk of the town with the simultaneous deployment of 300 special police teams.
Cyber criminals who have been arrested in the past are kept under special surveillance in this operation to prevent them from committing crimes again. Out of a list of 3,567 cyber criminals identified across the state, the police has focused on the most dangerous 614. It is reported that the complete details of 335 accused have already been collected. While there are 480 cases against these accused in Telangana, 1,233 cases have been registered in different states across the country, which shows the extent of their criminal empire.
As part of this operation, the police are not limited to a mere search, but are following the most modern methods. They are going directly to the residences of the accused and doing physical verification. Geo-tagging method is being used to monitor their movements from time to time. As of now, the police have traced 218 accused and the hunt is on for 115 others who are absconding. As part of the search, the police found that three accused have already died.
Apart from just the physical movements, the police also kept a close watch on the financial transactions and digital activities of the accused. Who are they talking to? Where is the cash being transferred? are analyzed through network mapping. Preparations are being made to open ‘Suspect Sheets’ against those who commit fraud again without changing their criminal propensity. So they plan to stay under police surveillance wherever they go in the future.
Realizing that cybercriminals are starting new types of crimes soon after they get out of jail, the police have decided to make their bail conditions more stringent. Courts are speeding up legal proceedings to ensure strict conditions are imposed on the accused and prevent them from committing repeated offences. Through this “Operation Crackdown 2.0”, the police department is working hard to make Telangana a cyber crime free state.