Vibe & Tech

In recent years, the rise in online scams in India has led to the establishment of cyber crime teams aimed at curbing fraudulent activities. While their intentions may be noble, the methods they employ often create unnecessary hardships for innocent individuals. One such practice is the freezing of bank accounts without proper investigation or communication, leaving account holders in a state of confusion, distress, and financial paralysis.

My Experience: A Story of Frustration and Silence

A few weeks ago, my savings account was suddenly frozen by the cyber crime team. I was informed about the issue and provided the contact details of a Station House Officer (SHO) who was supposedly handling my case. For three weeks, I have been trying to get in touch with the SHO, only to be met with silence. My emails have gone unanswered, and I still have no clarity on why my account was frozen, who filed the complaint, or what evidence led to this drastic action.

This lack of communication and transparency has left me feeling harassed. My financial activities have come to a standstill, and I have no idea how to resolve the situation. The absence of a proper mechanism to address such issues raises serious concerns about the effectiveness and ethics of the cyber crime team’s procedures.

The Bigger Problem: A Flawed Approach to Tackling Cyber Crime

While the increase in online scams is a genuine problem, freezing bank accounts without thorough investigation or prior notice is not the solution. It disproportionately penalizes the account holder, often an innocent individual, instead of addressing the root cause of the problem.

The process seems to favor the complainant without verifying their claims. Before freezing an account, authorities must:

1. Verify the complainant’s claims: The complainant should be required to provide substantial evidence of fraud or misuse.

2. Question the complainant’s intent: Why was the payment made? Was the complainant aware of the risks? Do they have proof of being scammed?

3. Inform the accused account holder: The account holder must be given a chance to explain their side of the story before any action is taken.

By skipping these steps, the current system allows for potential misuse. A person could easily make a baseless complaint, leading to the freezing of an innocent person’s account. In some cases, this even raises suspicions that cyber crime teams may themselves be complicit in creating opportunities for harassment.

The Human Cost of Reckless Freezing

For many, a frozen account means more than just inconvenience. It disrupts daily life, halts payments, and damages financial credibility. Imagine being unable to access your hard-earned money, pay bills, or support your family, all because of an unsubstantiated claim. This approach treats citizens as guilty until proven innocent, a clear violation of their fundamental rights.

A Call for Change

India urgently needs to reform its cyber crime policies to ensure that innocent people do not bear the brunt of poorly executed investigations. Here are some steps that could make a difference:

1. Introduce stricter checks: Complaints should only lead to account freezing after a thorough investigation.

2. Establish communication protocols: Authorities must promptly inform account holders and provide a clear process for resolution.

3. Protect the rights of citizens: Affected individuals must have access to legal recourse and timely resolutions.

4. Accountability for complainants: People filing false complaints should face strict penalties to deter misuse.

Conclusion

While combating cyber crime is essential, it must not come at the cost of harassing innocent citizens. Freezing accounts without proper investigation creates unnecessary hardships and erodes trust in law enforcement.

My experience has left me disillusioned with the current system. It is time to demand accountability and transparency from cyber crime teams to ensure that their actions serve justice instead of causing undue suffering. India must prioritize reform in this area to protect its citizens from becoming victims of the very system designed to safeguard them.

If you’ve faced a similar experience, share your story. Together, we can push for a fairer and more effective approach to tackling cyber crime in India.