Hyderabad, Nov 9 (NationPress) Rs 1 crore is the daily average amount lost by individuals within the jurisdiction of the Hyderabad Commissionerate due to cybercrimes, as stated by Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar on Sunday.

Citing how cybercriminals exploit greed and fear, the Commissioner, alongside Director General of Police (DGP) B. Shivdhar Reddy, officially launched a cybercrime awareness initiative called "Jaagrut Hyderabad – Surakshit Hyderabad" (Aware Hyderabad – Safe Hyderabad).

During the event, they revealed the 'Cyber Simbha' logo and QR code, while also distributing badges to the volunteers involved.

DGP Shivdhar Reddy emphasized that self-awareness is key to combating cybercrimes. He noted a significant rise in these offenses over the last decade and announced a decision to initiate a comprehensive state-wide campaign across Telangana to combat these threats.

The state police chief pointed out that cybercrime is no longer a trivial issue, but rather a serious societal concern. Offenses are perpetrated through phone calls, social media, and online interactions, with criminals easily targeting victims by gathering information such as wealth, location, and age.

Particularly vulnerable groups include women, the elderly, and homemakers, who are often contacted when they are alone, leading to increased fraud. Special measures have been implemented this year to reduce cybercrime incidents compared to the previous year, including 'Cyber Patrolling' to deter criminal activities.

Commissioner Sajjanar urged youth, retirees, and community leaders to engage in the campaign against cybercrimes, stating that if one person informs ten, and those ten inform twenty, it could lead to a substantial movement. He highlighted the importance of having at least one 'Cyber Simbha' in every household, ensuring community safety.

The "Jaagrut Hyderabad – Surakshit Hyderabad" program is designed to raise awareness at the grassroots level to curb these crimes.

Sajjanar advised the public to be cautious of suspicious calls, links, and apps, and to refrain from sharing OTPs, passwords, or banking information. He recommended using strong passwords and being vigilant with personal information shared on social media.

Victims of cyber fraud are encouraged to immediately contact 1930 to report incidents and file complaints via the national cybercrime portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in.

During the awareness program, Sajjanar led the participants in taking the 'Cyber Pledge' to commit to being vigilant against cyber threats.