Karnataka lost Rs 5,474 crore to cyber fraud in three years
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Karnataka lost Rs 5,474.76 crore to cyber fraud over the last three years, Home Minister G Parameshwara told the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
He shared the data while responding to a question on the rise in digital crimes across the state.
The official records showed 22,255 cybercrime cases in 2023. The number rose to 22,478 in 2024. The state has already reported 13,000 cases in 2025 so far.
The detection rate has dropped sharply.
Police solved 6,159 cases in 2023. They solved 3,549 cases in 2024. Only 1,009 cases have been solved this year.
The financial losses have increased as well. Fraudsters stole Rs 873.29 crore in 2023. The figure jumped to Rs 2,562.63 crore in 2024. They have stolen Rs 2,038.84 crore so far in 2025.
The Home Minister said the rise in cases is linked to the rapid growth of internet users in the state. He said low digital literacy is making people easy targets. Criminals are also using VPNs, encrypted messaging apps, and dark web tools to hide their tracks. He added that the fast spread of digital payment systems has created new routes for fraud.
He pointed to several social factors, such as unemployment, poverty, and stress, in urban areas. He said excessive use of social media and declining moral values have also contributed to the problem. The government admitted that weak law enforcement capacity is limiting progress. Delays in court processes are adding to the challenge and reducing the impact of deterrence.