Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jun 20: The state of Karnataka has achieved remarkable success in protecting citizens' money from cyber fraud, stated home minister Priyank Kharge. The police department has successfully frozen a total of Rs 436 crore in bank accounts linked to cybercrimes, placing the state second in the country for such recoveries.

The minister shared these details during his visit to the police wireless headquarters on MG Road, where he inspected the facilities and held discussions with senior officials.

Kharge, who also holds the information technology, biotechnology, and e-governance portfolios, explained that Karnataka achieved this significant milestone by effectively utilizing the 'lien mark' process to freeze fraudulently transferred funds.

Second only to Maharashtra Highlighting the state's performance, the minister noted that Maharashtra ranked first by freezing Rs 548 crore (17 per cent) out of a reported Rs 3,203 crore lost to cyber fraud. Following closely, Karnataka successfully froze Rs 436 crore (17 per cent) out of a reported Rs 2,640 crore, safeguarding the hard-earned money of the public.

A statement from Kharge's office revealed a significant surge in citizens reporting cybercrimes since the introduction of dedicated complaint facilities. The launch of a web platform in 2025 and a WhatsApp chatbot in 2026 has made it easier for victims to reach out to the police wireless unit.