11.8 % Rise in Cyber Crime Cases In India in 2020, Total Cases 50,035: Latest NCRB Data

NEW DELHI: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data released on Wednesday showed that India recorded 50,035 occurrences of cyber crime in 2020, an increase of 11.8 per cent over the previous year, with 578 incidents of “fake news on social media” also reported.

The rate of cyber crime (incidents per lakh people) in the country climbed from 3.3 per cent in 2019 to 3.7 per cent in 2020.

According to data from the preceding years, the country registered 44,735 occurrences of cyber crime in 2019, compared to 27,248 in 2018.

INCREASE IN FINANCIAL FRAUD

According to the NCRB, there were 4,047 cases of online banking fraud, 1,093 OTP frauds, 1,194 credit/debit card frauds, and 2,160 cases of ATM fraud detected in 2020.

There were also 578 examples of fake news on social media, 972 occurrences of cyber stalking or bullying of women and children, 149 fake profile incidents, and 98 cases of data theft.

In terms of motive, the maximum 60.2 per cent cyber crimes lodged in 2020 were done for fraud (30,142 out of 50,035 cases), the NCRB, which functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs, stated.

It was followed by sexual exploitation with 6.6 per cent (3,293 cases) and extortion 4.9 per cent (2,440 cases), the data showed.

STATE REPORT

Among states, the maximum 11,097 cyber crime cases were reported in Uttar Pradesh followed by Karnataka (10,741), Maharashtra (5,496), Telangana (5,024) and Assam (3,530), it showed.

According to the report, Karnataka had the highest crime rate (16.2%), followed by Telangana (13.4%), Assam (10.1%), Uttar Pradesh (4.8%), and Maharashtra (4.4%).

According to the NCRB, which is responsible for collecting and analysing crime data as required by the Indian Penal Code and special and local legislation in the country, the national capital Delhi recorded 168 such cases during the year, with a crime rate of 0.8%.