Chandigarh, June 26: The Punjab Police’s State Cyber Crime Division has frozen 63,749 bank accounts linked to cyber fraud over the past year, involving transactions worth approximately ₹540.34 crore. This information was shared by DGP Gaurav Yadav on Friday.
Since 2024, nearly ₹64 crore has been recovered and returned to victims, including about ₹38.42 crore recovered from January 1, 2025, to date. During this period, 62,253 cyber crime cases have been registered across the state.
The percentage of fraudulently obtained funds successfully frozen has increased from 16.13% to 23.43%, indicating significant improvement in financial recovery efforts.
DGP Yadav stated, “The large-scale action against cyber fraud gangs has not only enabled Punjab Police to freeze thousands of fraudulent bank accounts and recover embezzled funds but has also helped expose organized cyber crime networks operating across the country.”
He added, “Our investigations have successfully identified the methods used by cyber criminals, financial trails, and connections between different states. Through timely intervention, advanced technology, and meticulous financial tracking, the Cyber Crime Division has effectively dismantled fraud networks, safeguarded citizens’ savings, and ensured justice for victims.”
In various districts, the Jalandhar Commissionerate saw the highest number of accounts frozen, totaling 16,032, resulting in the recovery of ₹6,81,00,323. Following this, 7,344 accounts were frozen in Kapurthala, recovering ₹2,56,00,037. In Hoshiarpur, 7,201 accounts were frozen, leading to a recovery of ₹3,96,29,152, while Ferozepur had 6,930 accounts frozen, recovering ₹93,16,954.
The DGP also reported that the state’s Cyber Crime Division solved a case involving a Punjabi individual residing in Canada. The victim was contacted via social media and was misled into believing that personal issues could be resolved through an online ‘Ardaas’. They were coerced into sharing a video and subsequently blackmailed with threats of making it viral on social media.
Following the complaint, the Cyber Crime Division swiftly arrested three individuals and seized ₹3,49,100 along with $500.
This case is one of many successful operations conducted by the division in recent months.
Special DGP (Cyber Crime) V. Neerja emphasized that besides tackling cyber fraud gangs, the state’s Cyber Crime Division is also working to raise awareness among citizens about avoiding scams.
She stated, “The police are focusing on educating youth about fake online grooming, cyberbullying, extortion, fake friendships, and gaming platforms, as these can lead to the sharing of sensitive personal information.”
According to Neerja, ongoing actions and large-scale public awareness campaigns reflect Punjab Police’s multi-faceted strategy to combat cyber crime, protect citizens’ savings, and strengthen trust in digital transactions across the state.
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