Chandigarh: In one of its biggest crackdowns on organised cybercrime, Punjab Police has frozen 63,749 bank accounts linked to fraudulent transactions involving over ₹540 crore, while recovering and refunding nearly ₹64 crore to victims since 2024.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the State Cyber Crime Division’s swift intervention, advanced financial tracking and timely freezing of suspect accounts have disrupted cyber fraud networks and significantly improved the recovery of stolen money. Since January 1, 2025 alone, the police have recovered around ₹38.42 crore, while 62,253 cybercrime cases have been registered across the state since 2024.
Punjab Police also recorded a sharp rise in the percentage of fraud proceeds successfully frozen during the last financial year, increasing from 16.13% to 23.43%, reflecting enhanced financial recovery capabilities.
Among districts, Jalandhar Commissionerate led with 16,032 frozen accounts, followed by Kapurthala (7,344), Hoshiarpur (7,201) and Ferozepur (6,930). The police also highlighted the successful detection of a cyber extortion racket targeting a Punjabi resident in Canada, leading to the arrest of three accused and the recovery of cash, foreign currency and multiple electronic devices.
Special DGP (Cyber Crime) V. Neeraja said Punjab Police is pursuing a twin strategy of strict enforcement and widespread public awareness. Over the past year, the Cyber Crime Division organised 129 awareness programmes across the state, alongside district-level campaigns to educate citizens—especially youngsters—about cyber fraud, sextortion, fake online friendships, cyberbullying and other digital threats.
