In a significant victory against cybercrime, the Sikkim Police have successfully recovered and returned a sum of ₹1 lakh to a local victim who had fallen prey to an online financial scam. The recovery highlights the effectiveness of the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and the rapid intervention of local law enforcement.
The case began on March 27, 2026, when the complainant, identified as Najuma Hangma Subba, officially reported a fraudulent transaction involving ₹1,00,000. Upon receiving the complaint via the NCRP, the Sikkim Police initiated an immediate investigation to trace the digital footprint of the stolen funds.
The recovery was the result of a meticulous financial investigation led by Santosh Poudyal. By tracking the complex trail of the online transaction, the investigative team managed to freeze the defrauded amount before it could be fully laundered or withdrawn by the perpetrators. This proactive approach ensured that the entire amount was successfully credited back to Ms. Subba’s bank account.
The formal restoration of the funds took place at the Sadar Police Station in the presence of the Station House Officer (SHO) and the complainant’s father, Binod Hang Subba. The family expressed their gratitude to the police department for their professionalism and the speed with which the case was handled.
Following the successful operation, the Sikkim Police issued a public advisory urging citizens to remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated online scams. Authorities emphasized the importance of the “Golden Hour”—the period immediately following a fraudulent transaction—noting that reporting incidents instantly through the 1930 helpline or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal significantly increases the chances of fund recovery.
This successful intervention serves as a reminder to the public to never share sensitive banking details or OTPs with unknown individuals and to report any suspicious digital activity to the authorities without delay.
