Mumbai, August 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday urged citizens to report cyber fraud immediately by calling the 1930 helpline, stressing that prompt action during the initial “Golden Hour” can significantly improve the chances of freezing or recovering stolen money.
Speaking at a public awareness event organised by Maharashtra Cyber, Fadnavis said there was legally and practically “no such thing as digital arrest” and urged people not to fall prey to psychological manipulation by cybercriminals.
He warned that fraud syndicates increasingly impersonate police officers, Central Bureau of Investigation personnel and judges to frighten victims into transferring money or sharing sensitive information. In some cases, scammers use video calls featuring people in uniforms or simulated courtroom settings to make their claims appear genuine.
Fadnavis said mobile banking, digital payments and online services had become part of everyday life, increasing people’s exposure to sophisticated cyber fraud. He stressed that technological upgrades in policing must be accompanied by widespread public awareness.
The Chief Minister said victims should contact 1930 without delay after suspecting fraud. According to him, reporting within the initial “Golden Hour” can help authorities block or recover the money, whereas delays of three to 15 days can allow fraudsters to move funds through multiple accounts, making recovery considerably harder.
He also cautioned people about common scams involving claims that drugs had been found in parcels, OTP-related fraud, fake calls and impersonation of law enforcement officials.
Fadnavis further highlighted emerging threats involving voice cloning, deepfakes and AI-generated manipulated content, and praised Maharashtra Cyber for taking proactive measures against such threats.
During the event, Maharashtra Cyber Cell head Yashasvi Yadav presented upcoming initiatives, including the Maharashtra Cyber Safe App and the ‘Asha’ Call Bot.
Fadnavis also launched a public awareness campaign featuring a 42-minute short film titled Digital Arrest and the 1930 Maharashtra Cyber Anthem. The campaign will also include shorter videos and social media reels featuring popular celebrities to promote cyber safety across the state.
Artists involved in the campaign were felicitated during the programme and shared their views on strengthening public awareness about digital safety.
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