AP To Form State-Level Anti-Cybercrime Coordination Team: HM Anitha

 Vijayawada: People in India have lost Rs 1,730 crore in various cyber frauds during the last four months, which is a 24 per cent rise in cybercrimes.

AP home minister Vangalapudi Anitha shared this information at a “Walk for a Safer Digital World” walkathon organised by the NTR district police commissionerate in Vijayawada on Saturday.

She disclosed that AP government will be setting up a state-level cyber coordination team, besides improving the efficiency of cyber cells in districts, to curb cybercrimes in the state.

Hundreds of college students became cyber soldiers as they participated in the walkathon along with police personnel from Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation (IGMC) Stadium to Benz Circle. They held placards with messages like "Protect Your Password, Protect Your Life," "Stay Updated, Stay Protected," "Don't Share, Beware," and "Think Before You Click" to raise awareness about cyber security and check cybercrimes.

On the occasion, the home minister launched a newly developed mobile application to educate people about 16 types of cybercrimes. The app has been developed by Vijayawada police under the supervision of NTR district police commissioner S.V. Rajasekhar Babu.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajasekhar Babu said on an average, police in Vijayawada receive around five to six complaints every day regarding cybercrimes. “A majority of these victims are educated and working professionals. Yet, they fall prey to cyber fraudsters by clicking and opening unknown links," the commissioner stated.

NTR district collector Dr. G. Srijana, VMC commissioner H.M. Dhyanchandra, Vijayawada East and Central MLAs Gadde Ram Mohan and Bonda Uma were among those present.