Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (VP)

Mangaluru, Aug 15: The Karnataka State Police and the City Police jointly organised the Cyber Safe City Initiative 2024 and launched the 'Cyber Crime Awareness Walkathon' on Thursday, August 15, at TMA Pai Hall, Mangaluru.

Anupam Agarwal IPS, Commissioner of Police, Mangaluru City, addressed the gathering, saying, "I extend Happy 78th Independence Day to everyone. Today, we have gathered to address the problems caused by cyber criminals. While issues like drugs and traffic are often discussed, cyber crime rates are rapidly increasing. Previously, transactions required a bank visit, but now, with UPI, funds can be transferred from home, making it easier for fraudsters to target individuals. Educated people are getting scammed by fraudsters who pose as females and extort money. Be cautious about sharing sensitive information. Companies in Dubai and other Southeast Asian countries are hiring people to scam Indians. As of 2024, around Rs 26 crore has been lost to cyber crime. We must focus more on prevention."

He added, "Money does not come easily, so avoid falling into stock market traps or online scams where fraudsters impersonate police officers. The police department will contact you through official channels, not WhatsApp or Skype. Spread this awareness."

Prof Mohit P Tahilani, associate professor at NITK, expressed gratitude to the Mangaluru Police for organising the event. "A lot has been learned about cyber security today. Safety measures must be ingrained in our minds to avoid problems. The Government of India is working to raise awareness about online frauds. With increasing internet access, including WiFi and mobile data, more awareness is needed in rural areas. The government warns against connecting to unknown WiFi and advises turning off Bluetooth when not in use. We must stay aware of our surroundings and avoid using mobiles for serious discussions. Many are still unaware of UPI payment systems, and educating them about cyber crime is crucial."

Sidharth Goel, IPS, DCP Law and Order, emphasised the importance of adapting to cyber threats. "There is no age limit for cyber crime; people of all ages and professions are victims. Cyber crime is increasing daily, and soon a significant portion of criminal cases will be cyber-related. The Walkathon aims to spread cybersecurity awareness, and we can only combat this issue through knowledge."

Prizes were awarded for the best Cyber Awareness videos created by students and the general public.

The event was attended by notable figures including Abdul Rehman of Kanachur University; Dr Habib Rahman, chairman of Unity Hospital; Rohan Monterio, managing director of Rohan Corporation; Vivek Alva of Alvas Education Trust; Dr. Unnikrishnan, dean of KMC Hospital; Prof Mahabala Shetty of K S Hegde Hospital; B N Girish, vice-president of Hotel Ocean Pearl; Ananth Prabhu, cyber security expert; Anil Lobo, chairman of MCC Bank; P K Mishra, DIG Coast Guard; Umesh Kumar, DCP Crime and Traffic; and various students from schools and colleges.