Patna, Aug 13 (NationPress) The cities of Patna and Rajgir are set to welcome cutting-edge Cyber Forensic Labs (CFLs), which are anticipated to begin operations within the next four to six months.

This initiative is designed to enhance the speed of cybercrime evidence evaluation by a staggering fourfold, as stated by ADG (CID) Parasnath during a press briefing at Sardar Patel Bhawan, Police Headquarters, on Wednesday.

The establishment of these CFLs is in partnership with the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, thanks to a special Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The NFSU will extend its expertise by providing technical support, equipment guidelines, consultancy services, and specialized training for six personnel from Bihar's Forensic Science Lab.

The Home Department has green-lighted this project with a funding allocation of Rs 13.66 crore.

This development becomes increasingly critical under new criminal legislation, which requires forensic aid for audio-visual evidence in cases carrying sentences of seven years or more.

Bihar has witnessed a dramatic surge in cybercrime, with reported cases rising from 1,606 in 2022 to 4,801 in 2023—a staggering 200 percent increase—and reaching 5,721 in 2024.

Between January and May of this year alone, 3,258 cases were documented. The majority involve financial fraud, phishing, online scams, identity theft, and social media hacking.

The state's cyber helpline, 1930, received an astounding 25 lakh calls during 2024–25, with 94,000 complaints filed so far this year, of which 80,000 are related to financial fraud.

The Forensic Science Laboratory in Patna currently performs technical examinations on mobile devices, laptops, CCTV footage, and other forms of digital evidence.

In 2024, it processed evidence from 255 cases, successfully completing investigations for 135 of them. From January to July this year, 206 cases were referred, with 75 investigations concluded to date.

Officials indicate that several districts—including Nawada, Gaya, Aurangabad, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, and Jamui—have emerged as significant cybercrime hotspots in recent times, exhibiting patterns akin to the infamous Jamtara model from neighboring Jharkhand.

From these regions, organized groups are allegedly orchestrating extensive scams, defrauding victims nationwide through phishing calls, online fraud, fake customer care numbers, and identity theft.

In many situations, police teams from various states have collaborated with Bihar Police to conduct coordinated raids, apprehending suspects and dismantling these criminal networks.