SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has called for tough action against online scammers and fraudulent entities to protect the public from financial exploitation. He emphasised strict enforcement under the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes (BUDS) Act and directed law enforcement agencies to act promptly against such activities.
Chairing the 35th Union Territory Level Coordination Committee (UTLCC) meeting convened by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Jammu branch, Dulloo highlighted the increasing threat of online scams, especially as digital marketing and online transactions grow in popularity.
The Chief Secretary instructed regulatory bodies, including RBI and SEBI, to notify rules to facilitate action against fraudsters and create widespread public awareness. He recommended utilising social media, WhatsApp, and bulk messaging through banks to educate the public on recognising and avoiding scams.
He also called on RBI to empower police officers with the necessary tools and training for effective investigations. As part of this, Dulloo suggested training master trainers who would further train 5,000 investigation officers across districts in JK.
During the meeting, Dulloo reviewed the progress of pending fraud cases and stressed preventive measures to deter future scams. He urged stakeholders to conduct outreach campaigns targeting students, villagers, and communities in colleges and panchayats to enhance awareness of online fraud risks.
Regional Director of RBI, Chandrashekhar Azad, underscored the need for a collaborative approach among regulatory bodies and assured an acceleration of literacy campaigns to raise awareness. Azad also highlighted the importance of building the capacity of local law enforcement agencies to combat cyber fraud effectively.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the RBI, SEBI, ICAI, and various government departments, who discussed steps to combat unauthorised deposits and fraudulent activities by unregulated entities. Dulloo emphasised the need for decisive action against fraudulent apps, websites, and unregistered entities exploiting the people of JK.
The Chief Secretary reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating financial scams and safeguarding the public.
