Anything related to information technology is handled by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology or MEiTY as it is popularly known. So it came as a surprise to all when the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal was handed over to Ministry of Home Affairs. Online frauds had reached such alarming proportions that a Govt response was inevitable. But has it done enough?
Cyber crime is easy money for all
As we march towards Digital India, the lure of easy money has attracted more criminals than earlier. Digital payments, internet banking, OTPs, online shopping, etc has made life convenient for all. But along with that it brings the dangers of fraud. That is just the beginning as real challenges begin after the fraud has taken place. First the money that is robbed goes into the account of another victim. He or she is not aware what kind of money is coming into their account. They just receive the money to be transferred elsewhere. That is where the Govt has though about the National Cyber Crime reporting portal.
This website ensures that any money that is moved can be tracked down through a single window system across all states.
But this is not the only reason why the portal was created. We had the problem of the cyber illiterate policemen and police women flooding the police stations across India.
One virtual cyber police station for the whole country and world too
Try walking into a police station even in the middle of a city and register a cyber complaint. It is a frustrating experience. No one wants to help you with lodging a complaint. Plus jurisdiction is always an issue as the police personnel will first discuss over which police station should you go next.
Cyber Crime Reporting Portal takes care of this problem in one sweeping step. Imagine within the confines of your home or office, you can lodge a complaint. This home or office can be anywhere in the country or abroad too.
Women safety is govt priority
The complaint section is divided in three categories, crime against women/children which is a category in itself, financial fraud and other cyber crime. The first category is prominently displayed on the Home page in the first tab. It is not a direct category of cyber crime, but remember, this website comes under Ministry of Home Affairs or the Home Ministry. The idea of this portal is to have a national reporting system tracked at the ministry level.
User friendly portal
One thing the portal promises is to address the challenge of technology by making the website user friendly. One of the top notch feature is the ability to lodge an anonymous complaint. There is also a tracking feature for your complaint.
Where should you begin?
We strongly suggest that you visit the website and spend some time over it. Who knows when you will have the need to lodge a cyber complaint. We wish that day never come. But what is the harm in being prepared.
https://cybercrime.gov.in/Webform/Helpline.aspx
I am Manisha Yadav, Founder and Ideologue of Narisakti. MBA Student and Digital Marketing expert, I take your brand online and help you reach more customers.
