PANJIM: As it gears up to identify and penalize banks and mobile service providers for flouting know your customers (KYC) norms, Goa Police is also in the process of creating awareness warning citizens against falling prey to cyber fraud.
Aimed at combating cybercrimes against a backdrop of increasing offences reported in the recent past, the department will also release booklets in three languages cautioning people at the time of using social networking sites, and refraining from sharing personal data, bank account numbers or photos.
“The fraudsters open bank accounts and obtain mobile SIM cards by submitting fake details whereas the concerned authorities fail to verify their details. This prompted us to bring many of these banks and mobile service operators under police scanner for their criminal complicity,” Director General of Police Muktesh Chander said speaking to Herald.
Instances wherein bank account and mobile numbers belong to another state, he stated, the local investigating team would soon contact its counterparts to assist the probe.
The police chief, who has served as Director Cyber Cell, National Technical Research Organization has also decided to create community awareness by releasing booklets spelling out dos and don’ts in addressing these negative issues. The booklets, in English, Konkani and Marathi languages, will be distributed to the general public free of cost “We have realized that several educated people also fall prey to the fraud,” he added.
Another senior officer indicated that users of social networking sites reveal more than the required personal details while chatting with strangers, which makes them easy targets. The hackers steal their files and download their pictures and videos to later extort money from their victims. “To prevent cyber attacks and identity thefts, individuals need to be careful how and to whom they disclose their personal data…,” the cyber expert commented.
