India has witnessed an alarming rise in cyber fraud cases, with financial losses skyrocketing to Rs 33,165 crore over the past four years.
In 2024 alone, fraudsters duped victims of Rs 22,812 crore, marking a significant spike in cybercrime incidents, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, according to government data.
Figures compiled by the National Cyber Reporting Platform (NCRP), operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), highlight the rapid growth of cyber fraud.
The data reveals that cybercriminals swindled Rs 551 crore in 2021, Rs 2,306 crore in 2022, and Rs 7,496 crore in 2023, before the steep jump in 2024. The number of complaints also surged from 1,37,254 in 2021 to a staggering 17,10,505 in 2024, demonstrating the widespread impact of online scams.
Several regions have been identified as emerging cybercrime hubs.
These include Deoghar in Jharkhand; Deeg, Alwar, Jaipur, and Jodhpur in Rajasthan; Nuh in Haryana; Mathura and Gautam Buddha Nagar in Uttar Pradesh; Kolkata in West Bengal; Surat in Gujarat; Nalanda and Nawada in Bihar; Bengaluru Urban in Karnataka; and Kozhikode in Kerala.
In response to the rising cyber fraud cases, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the MHA to develop an e-FIR system, allowing victims to lodge complaints through the NCRP. This initiative aims to streamline the process for victims who have lost Rs 10 lakh or more in cyber fraud.
According to sources, discussions are underway to create a nationalised cyber-police station within the NCRP portal, enabling direct e-FIR filing. The complaint would then be forwarded to the relevant jurisdiction for further investigation. Currently, Delhi Police offers an e-FIR facility for theft and motor vehicle theft cases.
Additionally, the government has introduced a digital ‘suspect registry’ to combat financial fraud. Launched on September 10, this database contains information on 1.4 million individuals linked to cybercrime. In just three months since its implementation, the registry has helped prevent six lakh fraudulent transactions, saving Rs 1,800 crore. The platform is accessible to state and central investigative agencies, enhancing coordination in tackling cyber threats.
With cyber fraud escalating at an unprecedented rate, authorities are intensifying efforts to strengthen digital security, enhance law enforcement capabilities, and provide victims with quicker redressal mechanisms.