In a visionary move to counter the rising digital threat, Hyderabad’s city police have unveiled Zonal Cyber Cells (ZCCs) across all seven law and order zones. This initiative follows an astonishing 786 percent increase in cybercrime cases over the last nine years, highlighting the need for a dedicated and strategic response.
City police chief C V Anand shared that 61 officers, specially trained in handling cybercrime, have now been assigned to these new cyber units. The team includes seven inspectors, seven sub-inspectors, three head constables, thirty-six constables, and eight home guards.
“Cybercrime cases in Hyderabad increased from 351 in 2015 to 3,111 in 2024. The sole Cybercrime police station is overwhelmed. Minor cases were being looked after by local stations, but due to the burden and lack of expertise, investigations faced challenges. These ZCCs will now fill that void,” explained Anand.
These new cells, each led by an inspector, will function from the respective zonal DCP offices. Cases involving digital fraud below Rs 25,000 will be managed swiftly by local police or ZCCs, who will immediately act to freeze the stolen amount.
For financial losses above Rs 25,000 but under Rs 1 lakh, ZCC teams will lead the investigations, while local stations will handle FIRs and paperwork. The ZCC staff will then take charge of arrests and trials.
If the amount involved crosses Rs 1 lakh, the principal Cyber Crime Police Station will handle the investigation from start to finish.
In cases involving social media abuse or offensive messages, if the accused is known, regular law enforcement will arrest them. If their identity is unknown, the ZCC team will step in and launch the probe.
Anand added, “We will observe the ZCCs’ progress over the next two to three years. Based on their performance, these may eventually become full-scale zonal cybercrime police stations.” Apart from probing offences, the ZCC teams will also work actively on public awareness in their respective zones.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
