Disturbing trend: Odisha records 159% increase in cyber crimes

Bhubaneswar: Cyber crime cases in Odisha increased by a whopping 159 per cent last year with registration of 824 cases as against 317 cases in 2016, official sources said.

The State Crime Branch revealed it today at the two-day National Convention on ‘Emerging Challenges of Violence against Women: cyber crime and witch hunting’ started here.

Of the total cases of cyber crimes, 195 cases are on objectionable viral videos of women of which 97 cases were reported in 2017 only. Other forms of violence against women through cyber crimes include voyeurism, stalking, cyber bullying, morphing, email spoofing and cyber defamation.

The Crime Branch also informed that there were 265 ATM frauds, 206 online frauds, 27 credit card frauds, 19 bank frauds and 7 job frauds in 2017.

The number of arrested persons too increased this year. A total 195 persons were arrested in 2017 against 99 in 2016, it added.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who inaugurated the convention, expressed concern over the rising cyber crime in the State and laid emphasis on awareness to curb the trend.

“Cybercrime is an emerging challenge for the entire country. There is a need for creating awareness among women by way of promoting digital inclusion and through digital literacy and imparting technology training. Two women counselling centres will be opened at Rourkela and Balasore,” the CM said.