Cybercrime epidemic in India: Urgent need to curb mounting threats

India's cybercrime hotspots demand immediate attention as financial scams and sextortion devastate countless lives.

- SHUBH ARORA

Between January and April 2024, Indian citizens lost over 1,750 crore to cybercrime. This alarming figure stems from over 740,000 complaints lodged on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, highlighting a troubling surge in online fraud. According to the Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), approximately 7,000 complaints are registered daily—an astounding 113.7% increase from 2021-2023. Indians now lose an average of ₹1.5 lakh per minute to faceless scammers.

A recent study by an IIT Kanpur-backed startup identified ten districts as major cybercrime hubs. Bharatpur, known for its bird sanctuary, leads with 18% of cybercrime activities, followed by Mathura at 12% and Nuh at 11%. Locations like Deoghar and Jamtara in Jharkhand are notorious for organized cybercrime networks, fueled by low digital literacy and a lack of specialized cybercrime units.

Different regions have developed niches in cybercrime. Rajasthan specializes in sextortion, OLX fraud, and fake customer care schemes. Jharkhand excels in loan app harassment, matrimonial frauds, and investment scams, while Bihar is notorious for credit and debit card fraud. Meanwhile, states like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, and Karnataka are witnessing a significant rise in digital scams.