HYDERABAD: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, the Hyderabad police on Friday launched Cyber Mitra (C-Mitra), a virtual helpdesk aimed at helping victims of cyber fraud register FIRs without visiting a police station.
Under the existing process, victims who lodge complaints on the national cybercrime portal (cybercrime.gov.in) are required to visit a police station and provide details for FIR registration. With the introduction of C-Mitra, complainants within the Hyderabad police commissionerate limits will no longer need to make this visit.
After a complaint is filed on the cybercrime portal, C-Mitra officials will contact the victim to collect additional information. Using AI, the C-Mitra team will prepare a draft complaint based on the details provided and send it to the complainant.
Victims are required to take a printout of the draft FIR, sign it, and submit it to the police by post or courier, or deposit it in person at the Cyber Mitra helpdesk at the Cybercrime police station in Basheerbagh.
Once the signed complaint is received, officials will register a Zero FIR and transfer the case to the police station with jurisdiction.
C-Mitra bringing cops close to citizens: CP
Hyderabad Commissioner of Police V C Sajjanar told reporters that the “virtual police officer” system uses technology to bring policing closer to citizens.
According to the police, physical registration of an FIR takes an average of three hours. The C-Mitra initiative is intended to save time for complainants and allow police station staff to focus on investigation. At present, only 18% of complaints received through the ‘1930’ helpline and the national portal are converted into FIRs. The department has set a target of achieving a 100% conversion rate through C-Mitra.
Officials said that calls from C-Mitra will originate only from the landline number 040-4189-3111. WhatsApp communication will be sent only from numbers beginning with the 87126 series.
The police clarified that C-Mitra functions only as a facilitation desk for FIR registration. It does not conduct investigations, provide legal advice, or assure recovery of lost funds.