The Punjab government has taken a big step to improve digital safety by integrating its cybercrime helplines with Dial 112, the state’s emergency response number. This makes it simpler for people to report online scams and frauds in real time.
The action coincides with an increase in cybercrime in India, where the most prevalent strategies are social media impersonation, UPI fraud, OTP scams, and phishing. Officials hope to guarantee quicker resolution, quicker freezing of fraudulent transactions, and smooth coordination between law enforcement and financial institutions by combining helplines into a single platform.
Dial 112 calls will now be forwarded to cyber-trained staff who can escalate cases through the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) right away, state police officials disclosed. Response times, which are crucial for recovering stolen money before it is moved into mule accounts, should be greatly shortened by this integration.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav stated, “This initiative reflects our commitment to making Punjab safer in both physical and digital spaces.” “Cyber fraud victims will no longer be unsure of where to go in an emergency thanks to the unification of helplines.”
Cyber experts applauded the move, pointing out that reporting delays frequently let scammers transfer funds between accounts, making recovery all but impossible. They contend that the new system makes Punjab one of the few states actively modernizing its digital policing infrastructure.
Plans for public awareness initiatives to motivate people to report cyber incidents as soon as possible were also announced by officials.Authorities emphasize that awareness and prompt action remain the strongest defenses, as cybercrime losses amount to crores of rupees every year.
For the people of Punjab, Dial 112 is now the first line of defense against cybercriminals who prowl the online world, not just for roadside or domestic emergencies.
