TNNLudhiana: For some Ludhiana residents, the Diwali gift came wrapped not in paper, but in the return of something they had long given up hope of seeing again.A day before the festival, city police handed back 700 snatched and stolen mobile phones to their owners. Among the recipients were people who had continued paying instalments for phones even after losing them.Additional commissioner of police Rupinder Singh said the phones were recovered through coordinated efforts of the district police and cybercrime teams.Police urged residents to report a lost or stolen phone immediately at the nearest Saanjh Kendra. Once a complaint is lodged, the handset can be blocked through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), preventing misuse and helping police trace it if an attempt is made to use the device.Singh said prompt reporting was particularly important as phones contain personal and financial information. Those who received their recovered devices were advised to approach their respective Saanjh Kendras to get them unblocked for regular use.Police also used the occasion to spread awareness about cyber fraud. DCP (investigation) Harpal Singh advised people never to share banking details, passwords or OTPs with strangers and to report online financial fraud immediately on the 1930 cybercrime helpline.Calling the initial hours after a cyber fraud the “golden period”, he said quick reporting could improve the chances of fraudulent transactions being frozen and money recovered.
