MAHABUBNAGAR : District Collector Khushboo Gupta has urged the public and government employees to remain vigilant against cybercrime, stressing that safeguarding personal information and financial details is the responsibility of every individual. She noted that with the rapid growth of digital services, cybercriminals are adopting increasingly sophisticated methods to deceive people and exploit their lack of awareness. A cybercrime prevention and cybersecurity awareness programme was organised on Saturday at the District Collectorate conference hall through the joint efforts of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) and the Mahabubnagar District Police. District Collector Khushboo Gupta and District Superintendent of Police D. Janaki, IPS, participated in the programme and explained various precautions to be taken to prevent cyber fraud, protect personal information and ensure safe use of digital services. Addressing the gathering, Collector Khushboo Gupta said that the increasing use of smartphones, internet banking, credit and debit cards, social media platforms and other digital services had created new opportunities for cybercriminals to target unsuspecting people. She emphasised the need to give the highest priority to protecting personal information and financial details. She advised people to carefully examine the terms and permissions of mobile applications before using them and warned against sharing Aadhaar and PAN details, bank account information, passwords and one-time passwords (OTPs) with others. She also cautioned the public against clicking on suspicious links received from unknown persons or downloading applications from untrusted sources. The Collector further warned people about fraudulent calls made in the names of government officials, police officers and senior authorities. She said cybercriminals were increasingly using threats of so-called “digital arrest” to frighten victims and pressure them into transferring money immediately. Khushboo Gupta called upon government departments to create cybersecurity awareness among employees at all levels and their family members. She urged everyone to act responsibly and contribute to the prevention of cybercrime. SP D. Janaki, IPS, said cybercriminals often exploit people’s innocence, greed and fear to commit fraud. She explained that complaints related to cybercrime were being received through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and stressed that many such offences could be prevented if people remained alert and followed basic security precautions. The SP urged victims of cyber fraud to immediately report the incident by calling the national cybercrime helpline 1930, without wasting any time. She explained that reporting the fraud promptly could improve the chances of preventing or stopping the transfer of money into the fraudsters’ accounts. She also advised people to contact the emergency helpline 112 in urgent situations. She recommended using strong passwords for mobile phones, banking applications and social media accounts and cautioned people against sharing passwords with anyone. She specifically warned against downloading Android Package Kit (APK) files sent by unknown persons, as they could be used to compromise devices or facilitate fraud. The SP also cautioned the public against fake WhatsApp profiles created using photographs and names of district collectors, SPs and other senior officials to solicit money. She advised people to contact the concerned individuals directly and verify the authenticity of any request before transferring money. Participants were sensitised to various forms of cybercrime, including fraudulent links, OTP scams, online banking fraud, digital arrest scams, social media fraud and fake online profiles. Officials advised people never to click on suspicious links or share OTPs, bank account details or personal information with unknown individuals. Parents Urged to Ensure Children’s Online Safety SP D. Janaki stressed that parents should closely monitor their children’s use of social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat. She urged parents to educate children about cyberbullying, interactions with strangers online and exposure to inappropriate content. Emphasising the importance of online safety for children, she called upon parents, teachers and members of society to act responsibly and ensure that children are protected from online exploitation and abuse. Seven-Member Cybercrime Gang Arrested in the District The SP revealed that cybercrime incidents had also been reported in Mahabubnagar district. She stated that the police had recently arrested a seven-member gang allegedly involved in cyber offences in the Thuvvagadda Thanda area and sent the accused to judicial remand. She urged the public to exercise caution while dealing with suspicious phone calls, messages and online transactions and advised them to verify the facts before making financial decisions or sharing personal information. As part of the programme, District Collector Khushboo Gupta and SP D. Janaki, IPS, unveiled posters designed to create awareness about cybercrime prevention under the initiative of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau and the Mahabubnagar District Police. Assistant Collector (Under Training) Sai Shivani, Revenue Additional Collector J.L.B. Haripriya, District Revenue Officer Nirmala, Cybercrime DSP Giri Kumar, officials from various departments and other government employees attended the programme.
