Over the past year, a total of 291 people were arrested in connection with white-collar crimes in the suburbs, with properties worth ₹41.5 crore seized and returned to victims, according to the Avadi City Police.
The Central Crime Branch (CCB), which primarily deals with economic offences such as fraud, land grabbing through forged documents, job scams, bank frauds, and chit fund frauds, has intensified their efforts to curb these crimes. While these offences may not always be sensational, they often result in significant financial losses to the victims, many of whom lose their entire savings or properties.
Avadi City Police Commissioner K. Shankar said the CCB had adopted a proactive approach to swiftly address complaints. This includes expediting pending investigations, arresting the accused, and freezing their assets. “These measures not only help the victims recover their losses but also serve as a deterrent to those engaging in such illegal activities,” he said.
In 2024, a record 272 chargesheets were filed in white-collar crime cases, leading to the arrest of 291 individuals. Additionally, five habitual offenders were detained under the Goondas Act.
To enhance victim support, the CCB has been conducting small group meetings with complainants, hearing their grievances, and taking remedial measures. Mr. Shankar said these confidence-building initiatives had been instrumental in assisting victims of financial fraud.
Meanwhile, cybercrime cases also surged in 2024, with 433 First Information Reports (FIRs) registered for offences such as online trading fraud, part-time job scams, FedEx-related scams, and digital arrest frauds. To expedite investigations, the Cyber Crime Wing has been strengthened with additional personnel. So far, 53 accused have been arrested in these cases, and assets worth ₹8.55 crore have been frozen. Additionally, ₹2.24 crore has been returned to victims.
The Avadi police continue their crackdown on financial fraudsters, aiming to protect citizens from falling prey to such crimes while ensuring justice for the victims.
Published – February 03, 2025 09:31 pm IST