Cyber Fraud Alert: ₹22,845 Crore Duped in Just One Year, Over 36 Lakh Cases Registered in 2024

Cybercrime in India has reached alarming new heights. According to shocking figures presented in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, citizens lost ₹22,845.73 crore to cyber financial frauds in 2024 — a whopping 206% increase compared to 2023.

📊 Massive Spike in Cybercrime Reports

The data, sourced from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) — both under the Ministry of Home Affairs — paints a grim picture:

• 2022: 10,29,026 cybercrime cases reported

• 2023: 15,96,493 cases reported (55% increase)

• 2024: 22,68,346 cases reported (42% rise from 2023)

Out of these, 36,37,288 were financial cyber fraud cases, up from 24,42,978 cases in 2023.

💡 Key Insights:

• In 2023, citizens lost ₹7,465.18 crore due to cyber fraud.

• In 2024, this loss tripled to ₹22,845.73 crore.

• Fraud types include phishing, OTP scams, fake investment schemes, loan frauds, and impersonation tactics.

🛡️ Government Action Against Cybercrime

To counter this digital threat, the government has initiated multiple steps:

• 9.42 lakh SIM cards have been blocked

• 2,63,348 mobile IMEI numbers have been deactivated

• 11 lakh suspicious data points shared with banks and financial institutions

• 24 lakh mule accounts (fake bank accounts) identified

• ₹4,631 crore safeguarded by stopping fraudulent transactions

🔍 ‘Pratibimb’ – Tracking the Cyber Underworld

The government has launched ‘Pratibimb’, a tech-powered module that digitally maps fraud networks. Thanks to this system, law enforcement has already arrested 10,599 accused cybercriminals.

🚨 CFCFRMS Portal Saved ₹5,489 Crore

Launched in 2021, the CFCFRMS portal has played a key role in preventing fraud. The government reports that it has successfully blocked over ₹5,489 crore from reaching cybercriminals.

✅ What You Should Do to Stay Safe:

• Never click on suspicious or unknown links

• Avoid sharing sensitive personal or financial information

• Immediately report any suspicious activity or fraud at:

  • www.cybercrime.gov.in (NCRP)

  • Or dial 1930 for financial frauds

• Always verify the authenticity of emails, websites, and phone calls

⚠️ Final Word

With cybercrime evolving rapidly, awareness and quick action are your best defenses. The numbers from 2024 serve as a wake-up call. Stay informed, alert, and report anything unusual. Because in today’s digital age, a single careless click can cost you lakhs.