Maharashtra Cyber Launches Digital Arrest Film and 1930 Anthem in Mumbai
Maharashtra Cyber launched a cyber-awareness short film titled "Digital Arrest" and the 1930 Maharashtra Cyber Anthem at an event in Mumbai on Wednesday. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attended the event alongside several prominent film personalities, singers, and artists who contributed to the campaign.
Actors Pankaj Tripathi, Ashish Vidyarthi, Sharad Kelkar, Sonali Bendre, Javed Jaffrey, and Mangesh Desai, along with singer Sunidhi Chauhan and comedian Samay Raina, were felicitated at the ceremony for their involvement in the initiative. The campaign highlights Maharashtra’s dedicated cybercrime helpline number, 1930.
Speaking at the gathering, Fadnavis emphasised the critical role of public awareness in combating online offences. He noted that artists and performers can effectively communicate fraud prevention messages to the broader public.
"Cyber criminals dupe citizens by frightening and intimidating them in the name of police, the CBI, or judges. Citizens must not fall prey to any such tactics and should immediately contact the cyber helpline number '1930' in case of cyber fraud," Fadnavis said. He urged residents to remain vigilant against deceptive calls and reach out to the helpline promptly if targeted.
The campaign specifically addresses the "digital arrest" fraud, a scheme where scammers pose as law enforcement officers, judicial figures, or government authorities to intimidate victims and extort money.
Actor Ashish Vidyarthi highlighted the importance of informing the public about these tactics, stating that while technology is designed to simplify daily life, criminals exploit it to harm ordinary citizens. He stressed that spreading awareness is vital so that people understand that no official procedure called a digital arrest exists.
Comedian Samay Raina also addressed the gathering, acknowledging the active role played by the Maharashtra Cyber cell in tracking down cyber offenders and emphasizing the utility of the 1930 helpline.
