According to officials, the cyber police receive around 88 to 90 visitors every day, most of whom have fallen prey to various forms of online fraud — including fake investment schemes, job scams, and digital payment frauds. Many of these victims come from rural areas, where awareness about cybercrime remains extremely low.
“People in villages still don’t understand what qualifies as a cybercrime. By the time they realise they’ve been cheated, it’s often too late to recover their money,” said a police officer familiar with the situation.
Officials also admitted that cyber awareness drives have not had the desired impact in rural regions. Despite repeated campaigns, many citizens remain vulnerable due to lack of digital literacy and limited access to timely information.
Adding to the challenge, officers at local police stations receive only two days of basic cybercrime training, which experts say is far from adequate given the rapidly evolving tactics of online scammers.
“Cybercrime is no longer limited to urban areas. Rural populations are being targeted just as aggressively,” said a cyber expert, calling for stronger awareness programs, dedicated local cyber cells, and hands-on training for officers to improve the system’s response.
Police sources emphasised that establishing cyber cells at the taluka level could help handle cases faster and prevent repeated frauds. Until then, the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar cyber police continue to bear the heavy influx of complaints from across the district — a clear sign that digital crime is spreading deeper into rural Maharashtra.
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Cybercrime
