Lucknow: The UP Police arrested 773 cyber criminals, unearthed cyber fraud links involving more than ₹1,158.7 crore, and dismantled illegal digital infrastructure during a week-long statewide operation, ‘Cy-Vajra 1’, officials said on Thursday.The drive was launched following directions of chief minister Yogi Adityanath. On Jul 6, director general of police Rajeev Krishna chaired an online review meeting, wherein officers were directed to launch a campaign, named Operation Cy-Vajra 1, from July 7-13.Police teams simultaneously conducted raids and enforcement actions against cyber criminals. While 773 accused were arrested, 673 other suspects were served notices under section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and placed under legal restraint as part of the operation.Investigators found that the arrested and identified accused were linked to 196 previously registered FIRs across different states. During the campaign, police also registered 865 fresh FIRs against cyber criminals.Officials said analysis of the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal revealed that the arrested accused were linked to 7,989 cybercrime complaints registered from across the country. These complaints involved an estimated ₹1,158.7 crore in alleged cyber fraud.‘Cyber criminals exploit people’s desire to get rich quick’DGP Rajeev Krishna said, “Nearly 65% of cyber frauds are related to fraudulent investment schemes. Cyber criminals exploit people’s desire to earn quick profits by promising to double or triple their money within a short period. Such claims are unrealistic and should immediately raise suspicion. There is no legitimate investment that guarantees extraordinary returns without risk. I urge every citizen to verify the authenticity of any investment platform before transferring money, avoid clicking on unknown links or joining unverified investment groups on social media, and never make financial decisions driven by greed or pressure. A few minutes of verification can prevent the loss of a lifetime’s savings.”
