Ganderbal, Dec 31 (KNO): The Cyber Cell of Ganderbal has successfully recovered 87 stolen or lost mobile phones in 2024, with 74 phones already returned to their rightful owners.
The remaining 13 phones will be handed over today. The department’s efforts have provided relief to many victims who had lost hope of recovering their valuables, the officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
In addition to recovering mobile phones, the Cyber Cell has also been actively tackling financial fraud cases. An amount of Rs 3,78,527 was recovered, while Rs 14,74,661 remains held in relation to ongoing investigations into various fraud complaints, the officials said.
The Cyber Cell has also made significant strides in resolving over 56 cases related to social media issues, such as blackmailing and hacking of social media accounts.
Inspector Gowhar Nazir, leading the dedicated team at the Cyber Cell, emphasized the importance of public awareness in preventing cyber-related crimes. "We urge the general public to exercise caution when using mobile phones and electronic gadgets to avoid falling victim to cyber frauds and crimes," he said.
Residents are advised to follow cyber safety protocols, including- Never share Aadhaar, PAN card details, or OTPs related to financial transactions with anyone- Avoid clicking on suspicious links from unknown sources- Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication or two-step verification- Refrain from using public Wi-Fi for financial transactions.
Limit the personal information shared on social media
Citizens who have benefited from the Cyber Cell’s efforts have expressed their gratitude. Rameez Ahmed, one of the victims, shared, “I had lost all hope after my phone was stolen a few months ago. I thank the Ganderbal Police enough for their dedication in recovering it. They not only helped me get my phone back but also reassured me that justice would prevail."
Sameer Ahmad Bhat, another beneficiary, said, “I had to report my stolen phone a while ago, but I never imagined I'd get it back. Thanks to the Ganderbal Police Cyber Cell, especially Inspector Gowhar, for working so hard to track it down. I’m incredibly relieved and grateful for their prompt action."
The Cyber Cell continues to remain vigilant in its efforts to curb cybercrimes and assist the public in safeguarding their digital security—(KNO)