Thane Police Launch Major Public Awareness Campaign To Combat Rising Cybercrime

Thane, October 10, 2026 - The Thane City Police, in partnership with the Piramal Group, have initiated a major public awareness campaign aimed at combating the surge in cybercrimes. This initiative was officially launched in the presence of Thane Commissioner of Police Ashutosh Dumbre and other senior law enforcement officials. The campaign aims to educate citizens about effective cyber safety measures, prevention strategies, and correct protocols for reporting cybercrimes.

Commissioner Dumbre emphasized the need for increased vigilance among citizens, urging them to avoid interacting with unverified links or unknown contacts. He highlighted that cybercriminals are constantly devising new techniques, including fake e-challan notices, malicious APK downloads, and deceptive police impersonation calls.

The awareness drive targets several prevalent digital scams affecting residents in the region. Digital arrest scams involve scammers posing as police officers or officials from central agencies, such as the CBI or ED, threatening victims with fabricated criminal cases and demanding money. Law enforcement agencies stress that no official Indian agency conducts arrests or trials through video calls.

Phishing and malicious files are another prevalent threat, with fraudsters sending fraudulent text messages containing links or download links for .apk files, designed to steal personal data and login credentials. One-Time Password (OTP) and QR code frauds also pose a significant risk, as fraudsters trick victims into revealing OTPs or scanning QR codes under the pretense of transferring money.

The police have issued critical guidelines to ensure public safety. Citizens are advised never to share sensitive information such as OTPs, PINs, or passwords over the phone or via text. They should verify the identity of callers, especially if threatened with detention or legal action, and immediately disconnect the call. In case of financial fraud, victims are advised to contact the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 immediately to prevent further fund transfers.

Further information and support for dealing with cybercrimes can be obtained directly from the official portal at cybercrime.gov.in. For those interested in exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai and surrounding regions, additional details can be found on the website: https://budgetproperties.in/.