A significant rise in cybercrime incidents has been reported across India, with fraudsters cheating people out of Rs 33,165 crore in the last four years. The data, compiled by the National Cyber Reporting Platform (NCRP) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), reveals a staggering Rs 22,812 crore lost to cyber fraud in 2024 alone.
According to the NCRP, financial fraud through cybercrime has seen an exponential rise in recent years. In 2021, Rs 551 crore was lost to cyber fraud, increasing to Rs 2,306 crore in 2022 and Rs 7,496 crore in 2023. The number of complaints filed has also grown sharply, from 1,37,254 in 2021 to 17,10,505 in 2024.
Cybercrime Hotspots Identified
Authorities have pinpointed several Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities as major cybercrime hotspots. 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.
Government Response and e-FIR Initiative
In light of the alarming rise in cyber fraud, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the Home Ministry to develop an e-FIR system to streamline the process for victims. This initiative aims to provide a hassle-free complaint mechanism for those who have lost Rs 10 lakh or more to cyber fraud.
A meeting held in late December in North Block, chaired by Shah and attended by senior ministry officials, discussed various cyber fraud trends and preventive measures. Multiple teams, including the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), are working on implementing the e-FIR system in consultation with state police forces.
The proposed system will feature a nationalized cyber-police station integrated within the NCRP portal, allowing victims to not only lodge complaints but also file e-FIRs. These e-FIRs will then be forwarded to the concerned jurisdictional police stations for further investigation. Currently, Delhi Police has an existing e-FIR system for theft and motor vehicle theft cases.
Suspect Registry and Prevention Measures
In a further effort to curb cyber fraud, the Centre has launched an online ‘suspect registry’ containing data on 1.4 million cybercriminals linked to financial fraud and other cyber offenses. Since its launch on September 10, the registry has successfully blocked six lakh fraudulent transactions, saving approximately Rs 1,800 crore.
The registry is accessible to state and Union Territory police forces, as well as central investigation and intelligence agencies, allowing for real-time tracking and prevention of cybercrime activities.
Need for Government Attention and Reputation Concerns
Given India's aspirations to become a global tech hub and an upcoming Silicon Valley-like ecosystem, unchecked cybercrime poses a serious threat to the country’s reputation and investment potential. If left unaddressed, the rising cases of cyber fraud could deter foreign investments, weaken digital trust, and hinder the growth of India’s fintech and IT sectors. A strong cybersecurity framework, robust enforcement, and coordinated efforts between the government and private sectors are essential to protect citizens and restore confidence in India's digital economy.
With cybercrime evolving rapidly, the government is intensifying efforts to protect citizens by enhancing digital security, strengthening law enforcement capabilities, and streamlining complaint redressal systems. Authorities urge people to remain vigilant against online fraud and report suspicious activities through the NCRP portal.
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