Cyberabad: Cyberabad Police organised “Cyber Dandiya” on October 17, 2026, combining traditional cultural celebrations with practical messages on cyber safety. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about cybercrime and strengthen relations between the police and the public. Around 1,500 people attended, including government officials, police personnel, IT professionals, youth, women and families from various parts of the Cyberabad Commissionerate.
The programme was organised under the leadership of Cyberabad Police Commissioner Dr M. Ramesh, in coordination with the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) and Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) Commissioner Srujana. DCP, Cyber Crimes, Pushpa coordinated the initiative under the guidance of senior officers. Police personnel and senior officials from the Commissionerate actively participated in the event.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Ramesh said Cyber Dandiya was aimed at taking cyber safety awareness closer to the public by integrating it with popular cultural festivities. He said such initiatives gave the police an opportunity to interact directly with citizens and educate them about emerging cyber threats and preventive measures.
The programme used Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital tools, videos and practical demonstrations to explain different forms of cybercrime, the modus operandi adopted by fraudsters and ways to prevent online fraud. The information was presented in a simple and engaging manner to make cyber safety practices easier for people to understand.
The Commissioner cautioned that while technology had made everyday life more convenient, cybercriminals were constantly devising new methods to deceive people. He urged citizens to remain vigilant against digital arrest scams, investment and trading frauds, phishing, smishing, OTP frauds, fake links and part-time job scams. He advised people not to share OTPs, passwords, PINs or banking details with anyone and to avoid clicking on suspicious links.
Online investment offers promising unusually high returns should be carefully verified before any money is transferred, he said.
Victims urged to call 1930
In case of cyber fraud, victims should immediately call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 and lodge a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to facilitate timely action.
DCP, Cyber Crimes, Pushpa said cybercriminals exploited fear, greed and trust to defraud unsuspecting people. She cautioned citizens against calls and video calls from unknown persons, suspicious APK files, dubious links, fraudulent investment schemes and fake part-time job offers. “Think before you click and verify before you trust,” she advised, stressing the importance of adopting safe digital practices.
The cultural celebrations saw enthusiastic participation by youth, women and families. The combination of energetic Dandiya performances and cyber safety messages helped communicate important precautions in an accessible and engaging format.
CMC Commissioner Srujana, DCP (Administration) Annapurna, DCP Pushpa, DCP Lavanya, Kukatpally DCP Rithi Raj, IPS, Traffic-II DCP S. Seshadrini Reddy, IPS, Serilingampally Zone DCP Ch. Srinivas, IPS, and CAR Headquarters DCP P. Sanjeev attended the event, along with other senior police officers and personnel. Representatives of SCSC and CMC, officials from various government departments, IT company representatives and members of the public were also present.
With around 1,500 participants, Cyber Dandiya combined cultural engagement with public safety outreach, reinforcing the message: “Celebrate safely, stay safe in cyberspace.”