The demand to form a special investigation team comprising officers trained in probing online economic offences and banking frauds is yet to become a reality despite an increase in the number of online cheating cases in the district. Now, investigation is progressing into 70 major cases under different investigation teams where the suspects are still at large.
Figures available with the Kozhikode city and rural police attest that there are about 300 persons who have already approached the police seeking action to recover their lost money and net the fraudsters. Though money has been recovered in some cases, the probe is yet to net the suspects.
“There is no coordination now to probe various online cheating cases registered across the State. At least the support of the Crime Branch should be there as they have a specialised wing to attend such complaints,” said a retired banking professional from Vadakara who happened to be one of the victims in online banking fraud. He also pointed out that there should be an adalat at the earliest to help people who are yet to lodge their petitions.
