Chandigarh, 26 June (H.S.): Punjab Police’s

State Cyber Crime Division has intensified its crackdown on cybercriminals,

freezing thousands of bank accounts linked to fraudulent transactions and

helping victims recover defrauded money. The action is part of Punjab Police’s

ongoing commitment to protecting citizens’ hard-earned savings and making every

penny accountable.

Through timely intervention, advanced technology and

close financial tracking, the Cyber Crime Division has strengthened the state’s

response against organised cybercrime. Timely freezing of suspicious bank

accounts has prevented cyber fraud gangs from withdrawing money and has

increased the chances of recovering funds lost by victims.

Over the last one year, Punjab Police has frozen 63,749

bank accounts linked to cyber fraud, involving transactions worth

around ₹540.34 crore. Since 2024, nearly ₹64 crore

has been recovered and refunded to victims, including about ₹38.42

crore recovered since January 1, 2025. During the same period, 62,253

cybercrime cases have been registered across the state.

The percentage of fraud proceeds successfully frozen has

also increased from 16.13 percent to 23.43 percent during the

last financial year, showing a significant improvement in financial recovery.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said the large-scale action against

cyber fraud gangs has not only helped freeze thousands of fraudulent bank

accounts and recover cheated money, but has also exposed organised cybercrime

networks operating across the country. He said investigations have helped

identify the methods, financial trails and inter-state linkages used by

cybercriminals.

Among districts, Jalandhar Commissionerate recorded the

highest number of frozen accounts at 16,032, leading to

recovery of ₹6.81 crore. Kapurthala froze 7,344

accounts and recovered ₹2.56 crore, while Hoshiarpur

froze 7,201 accounts and recovered ₹3.96 crore.

In Ferozepur, 6,930 accounts were frozen, resulting in

recovery of ₹93.16 lakh. Tarn Taran froze 5,229

accounts and recovered ₹6.97 crore.

In a recent success, the Cyber Crime Division cracked a

cyber extortion case involving a Punjabi resident based in Canada. The victim

was contacted on social media in the name of online ardas and later blackmailed

with threats of circulating a video. Police arrested three persons and

recovered ₹3,49,100 along with 500 US dollars.

Special DGP Cyber Crime V. Neeraja said Punjab Police is also running

awareness campaigns to protect citizens from online scams, cyber bullying,

sextortion, fake friendships and online grooming. A total of 129

awareness programmes have been organised across the state.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH