Aizawl: Mizoram Police have recovered and returned more than Rs 1 crore to cybercrime victims this year, arrested nine alleged cybercriminals and resolved 28 complaints concerning the blocking of bank accounts, officials said on Friday.
According to a statement issued by the police, Rs 1.06 crore was recovered through the Money Restoration Module (MRM) and other legal procedures, including action taken following investigations and court orders.
As part of efforts to strengthen the state’s response to cybercrime, the Mizoram government formally notified the State Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (S4C) as a separate unit under Mizoram Police on July 27.
The centre is tasked with coordinating cybercrime detection, investigation and prosecution. Its responsibilities also include crime mitigation, public awareness campaigns, social media monitoring and emergency response.
During the year, the Cyber Crime Police Station arrested nine alleged cybercriminals from different parts of the state, the statement said.
Mizoram Police also worked with law enforcement agencies in other states to investigate cybercrime cases. Action was taken on complaints involving indecent online content, leading to the removal of several unlawful URLs from social media platforms.
The S4C also addressed 28 grievances through its Grievance Redressal Module. The mechanism assists people whose bank accounts have been blocked despite their claims that they were unaware of, or had no involvement in, transactions involving fraudulently obtained money.
To improve public awareness of cyber threats, Mizoram Police conducted 89 awareness programmes in schools and colleges this year, reaching 9,376 students, the statement said.
The department also organised talk shows and question-and-answer sessions on Doordarshan Kendra, local cable television channels and All India Radio. It used its social media platforms to share information and promote safer online practices.
Police urged victims of online financial fraud to report incidents immediately through the national cybercrime helpline 1930, which operates round the clock, or via the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in.
People seeking assistance can also visit the Cyber Crime Police Station on the third floor of the SP Aizawl Office building in the Treasury Square area of Aizawl, the statement added.