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Gujarat has recorded 1,06,383 cybercrime complaints in the first seven months of 2026, compared with just 362 reported incidents in 2016. The sharp increase over the past decade highlights the growing threat of online financial fraud, social media exploitation and organised cybercrime as digital transactions become part of everyday life.
How Much Has Cybercrime Increased?
Figures attributed to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal show a substantial increase in reported cybercrime incidents across Gujarat, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2016, the state recorded 362 incidents, followed by 458 in 2017, 702 in 2018 and 784 in 2019. The annual figure remained below 800 throughout this period.
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The number increased to 1,283 in 2020 before rising sharply to 18,159 in 2021. By 2022, reported incidents had reached 82,085.
The upward trend continued, with 1,37,045 complaints in 2023 and 1,67,892 in 2024. Another 88,383 incidents were reported during the first six months of 2025. By July 2026, the state had already recorded more than one lakh complaints.
Why Did Complaints Rise After COVID-19?
The expansion of digital financial services during the COVID-19 pandemic created new opportunities for cybercriminals to target individuals and businesses. As people increasingly relied on mobile banking, online shopping and digital payment applications, fraudsters began exploiting users unfamiliar with digital financial systems.
Police sources indicated that cybercrime reporting was relatively limited during the earlier years. In 2015-16, some police personnel were reportedly sceptical when victims approached them with complaints of online fraud.
The situation changed considerably after 2020. Gujarat Police had also introduced its Cyber Aashvast project to address emerging cybercrime threats.
What Types of Fraud Are Increasing?
Cybercriminals have expanded their methods beyond conventional banking fraud to include social media impersonation, online blackmail and financial scams.
Fraudulent banking messages, suspicious links and deceptive phone calls remain among the methods used to target individual.
The increasing popularity of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp has also created opportunities for fake profiles, online harassment and the misuse of personal information. Cases involving the stalking and blackmail of women through social media accounts have also emerged as areas of concern.
Fraudsters frequently change their identities and communication techniques, making suspicious calls and messages more difficult for ordinary users to recognise.
How Are International Networks Involved?
Cybercrime has also become increasingly international, with suspected fraud networks operating across national borders.
Over the past four years, organised cyber-fraud operations allegedly involving Chinese operators have expanded into countries including Russia.
Accounts of these operations describe young Indian men and women being lured abroad through employment offers before being held captive and forced to make fraudulent calls or send deceptive messages. Such operations illustrate how cybercriminal networks can exploit both victims of financial fraud and people recruited into fraudulent activities.
Their international reach can also make it more difficult for investigators to identify those responsible.
Do All Complaints Become Police Cases?
The figures reflect cybercrime incidents reported through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and should not be treated as the number of criminal cases formally registered by police.
Only a portion of complaints submitted through the portal are subsequently registered as criminal cases. This distinction is important when examining the sharp increase in Gujarat’s cybercrime figures over the past decade.
The data nevertheless demonstrates the scale of reported cybercrime activity and the growing pressure on law enforcement agencies dealing with digital fraud.
How Can Citizens Protect Themselves?
The rise in online fraud highlights the importance of recognising suspicious digital communications and protecting personal financial information.
Citizens have been advised to exercise caution when responding to unfamiliar calls, messages and links, particularly those involving payments or requests for banking credentials.
Sharing passwords, one-time passwords and sensitive account information can expose individuals to financial fraud.
As cybercriminals continue to adapt their techniques, awareness and careful verification of digital communications remain important safeguards against online scams.
