Vizag police refund Rs 22 crore to cybercrime victims since 2019

Visakhapatnam: The Vizag police have refunded over Rs 22.4 crore to over 1,240 victims who had lost money to various cyber frauds since 2019.The cybercrooks have been duping Vizagites to the tune of crores every month with various methods. Through coordinated operations and technical surveillance, we have been able to identify and arrest some cyber crooks across several states, said a senior police officer with the cybercrimes wing.The police also managed to freeze some amounts linked to cyber fraud cases through swift intervention and coordination with banks and financial institutions. With the recovery and refund of more than Rs 22 crore, Vizag police have emerged as the highest refunding police commissionerate in Andhra Pradesh in cybercrime cases, said Vizag police chief Dr Shankhabrata Bagchi.They said between 2019 and 2023, more than Rs 1.1 crore was refunded to victims of cyber frauds. In 2024, the police refunded over Rs 3.75 crore, which rose to over Rs 12.6 crore in 2025.Despite awareness campaigns, cybercrimes are increasing rapidly due to greed and the fear of netizens. The police cautioned the public to remain more vigilant and avoid responding to suspicious calls, messages, links, or mobile applications, and never respond to investment schemes.