In a bid to combat the rising wave of cybercrime, the Jharkhand Crime Investigation Department (CID) has launched the 'Pratibimb' app. Can this innovative tool effectively track down criminals and bring them to justice? Since its launch on November 8, the app has proven instrumental in apprehending a staggering 365 cyber offenders in the state of Jharkhand alone.

The 'Pratibimb' app provides law enforcement agencies with a comprehensive database of mobile numbers used by criminals and maps out the areas where they operate. This valuable information can be accessed by police authorities as needed, allowing them to take prompt action against cyber outlaws.

According to Director General (CID) Anurag Gupta, the app has exposed that a significant number of cyber crimes originate from Jamtara in Jharkhand, followed by Mewat and Gurugram in Haryana, as well as 24-Parganas in West Bengal. The app has led to the seizure of 1,379 SIM cards and 932 mobile phones used for fraudulent activities, and the arrest of 365 cyber criminals.

The success of 'Pratibimb' extends beyond Jharkhand, as police departments across the country have also embraced this powerful tool to apprehend cyber offenders. In 2021, the Indian cyber crime coordination centre (I4C) established a helpline number, 1930, to assist victims of financial fraud. By calling this helpline, individuals can report crimes and provide crucial information, including the mobile numbers used in the offenses.

The collaborative efforts between I4C and Jharkhand CID have resulted in compiling the database of mobile numbers and their current locations on the 'Pratibimb' app. This data is shared with the respective Superintendent of Police (SP) and service providers, enabling the blocking of numbers and immediate action.

With 365 cyber criminals already apprehended, 'Pratibimb' has proven to be a game-changer in the fight against cybercrime, and its implementation holds the potential to significantly reduce criminal activities in the digital realm.