It goes without saying that technology is the unbridled force that navigates the current world order. In olden times, mobile phones were just a means of communication but now the notion has been completely upended. Mobile phones are now not just a tool for communication. It is a bank, a camera and a person’s office. Apart from all these basics, more than half of government services have moved online. But alas, scams and frauds are also burgeoning along with tech supremacy.

Local police, who are often assigned to unearth such scams end up perplexed finding no traces of the case. It is such meticulous work that is done behind the fraud that it won’t befit the police to solve the crime with ease. Proving cybercrimes requires special skills and training. Conventional investigation fails to find any trace since fraudsters often station their work in other states.

Considering these issues and taking into account the increasing situation of cybercrimes, the move to form a special cyber division in the state deserves appreciation. As part of the move, the Chief Minister is expected to convene a high-level meeting with top police officers of the state. The decision to form a special division was made on the basis of the central directive in the context of the incidents including the Kozhikode AI technology fraud through video call.

Currently, all districts in Kerala houses cyber police station. Cyber domes are also introduced in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode to carry out research activities. The Cyber ​​Division is constituted to coordinate and supervise these and investigate cases flawlessly. At present only one SP is in charge of it. It will be expanded to form various teams of about 20 officers.

Cyber training for around 500 policemen is also under consideration. This move would be a welcome step rather than repeatedly falling prey to cyber scams across the country.