Technology comes right back to bite your ass.

February 5, 2008

H/l: State numero uno in cyber crime
CORRESPONDENT

From: Vrushali Lad

Mumbai: Call it an evil of advancement in the state’s Information Technology (IT) expertise, or simply a new outlet to commit a crime in newer ways, but the fact remains that the state tops the country’s list in cyber crimes.

As per the recently-released figures for cyber crime for year 2006 by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Maharashtra has the highest numbers of cyber crimes registered in the country over the period 2005-2006. In this one year, 61 registered cases in the state led to a staggering 300 per cent variation from previous years.

What’s more, the state’s cyber pranksters are from all ages, and outnumber those in the country by a big margin of 66:80. Of the 66, the maximum miscreants are from the 18-30 age group (55 offenders) followed by 14 offenders from the 30-45 age group.

Of all the various cyber crimes listed under the IT Act, the state’s offenders seem to have found more favour with publishing or transmitting obscene matter in electronic form (19 offences of the country’s 67 total) and causing loss or damage to computer resource or utility (11 offences).

The NCRB has also listed the motives behind the cyber crimes committed. Maharashtra has registered higher numbers under Greed (16 cases), Fraud (9), Eveteasing/ harassment (6), and Revenge and Causing disrepute (3 each) than other states.