In 2024, India faced a serious challenge in the digital space. Cyber frauds led to losses of more than ₹22,845 crore — 206% jump from the previous year. This alarming figure was shared by the Indian government during the Parliament’s monsoon session, showing how quickly and dangerously cybercrimes are growing across the country.
Sharp Rise in Cybercrime Cases
The number of cybercrime incidents reported in 2024 crossed 2.2 million. That’s a 42 percent increase from nearly 1.6 million cases in 2023. For comparison, there were around 4.5 lakh cases in 2021. That number shot up to one crore in 2022 and has continued rising since. Experts say this growth is not just due to a real rise in criminal activity but also because more people are reporting cases now, thanks to better systems for tracking and responding to fraud.
Common Methods of Cyber Fraud
Cybercriminals are using smarter and more advanced tricks than ever before. Common methods include:
- Fake job offers and investment frauds
- Impersonating police or government officers in "digital arrest" scams
- Deepfake technology to create fake videos or voice calls
- Phishing emails and fake websites
- Links sent through SMS or WhatsApp asking for UPI payments
According to a cybersecurity expert from IIT Kanpur, these scams often rely on social engineering — using fear or greed to manipulate people. For example, a message might warn that your bank account will be blocked unless you pay a fee immediately. This causes panic, and many end up sending money without thinking.
Technology Behind the Scams
Fraudsters are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to make their scams more believable. They create realistic voice calls, use deepfake videos, and mine social media data to trick users. Scammers can also mimic trusted websites or set up fake profiles that look completely real.
As UPI usage grows across India, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting this platform. In 2023 alone, over 118 billion UPI transactions were made, amounting to more than ₹2 lakh crore every month. This makes India one of the largest digital economies — and an attractive target for online fraud.
How the Government Is Fighting Back
To tackle the rising threat, the Indian government has taken several strong steps:
- A new Suspect Registry was launched in September 2024 by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C). It has listed over 11 lakh suspect profiles and flagged 24 lakh fake accounts.
- Over 3,962 Skype IDs and 83,668 WhatsApp accounts were blocked to stop digital arrest scams.
- Law enforcement blocked nearly 10 lakh SIM cards and over 2.6 lakh IMEI numbers used in cyber fraud.
- ₹5,489 crore was saved in fraud complaints linked to more than 17.8 lakh cases.
The government has also launched awareness programs through newspapers, social media influencers, and public campaigns on TV and radio. A toll-free cybercrime helpline (1930) and an online portal have been made available for quick reporting.
Stay Safe Online
While the government is stepping up its efforts, every individual must stay alert. Never click on suspicious links, especially those asking for money or banking details. If someone calls or messages pretending to be from the police or your bank and asks for personal information or payments, do not trust them blindly. Always report such activities to the cyber helpline or your nearest police station.
Insightful Take
Cybercrime in India is rising fast and affecting lakhs of people. In just one year, crores of rupees have been lost due to online scams. But with awareness, better digital habits, and stronger action by law enforcement, we can stay safer and better protect our money and personal information in the online world.
