Cyber Crime
Cyber Heist in Pune: Rs6,007 Crore Lost in Scams—More Than Mumbai, Thane & Nagpur Combined
Pune witnessed a staggering Rs6,007 crore loss in cyber frauds in 2024, surpassing Mumbai, Thane, and Nagpur combined. Experts warn of rising scams and urgent action needed.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in a written response during the ongoing Assembly session, revealed shocking cyber fraud statistics for Pune in 2024. A staggering Rs6,007 crore was lost in 1,504 cybercrime cases in the city alone.
The figures indicate that cyber frauds in Pune were nearly five times more than the combined losses recorded in Mumbai, Thane, and Nagpur. The total cyber fraud amount reported in these three cities stood at Rs1,125 crore, across 5,741 cases.
Cybercrime Statistics Across Major Cities
Fadnavis’ response provided a broader look at cyber frauds across Maharashtra’s key cities:
- Mumbai: 4,849 cases, Rs888 crore losses
- Thane: 680 cases, Rs174 crore losses
- Nagpur: 212 cases, Rs63 crore losses
- Pune: 1,504 cases, Rs6,007 crore losses
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Observers noted that the cyber fraud amount in Pune was significantly higher than the annual budgets of several municipal corporations, such as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur, and Nashik.
Breakdown of Pune’s Cyber Fraud Cases
A senior Pune police officer, speaking anonymously, clarified that two high-value cases were responsible for the bulk of Pune’s reported cyber fraud losses. These include:
- GST fraud case worth Rs5,000 crore
- Another GST-related fraud of Rs561 crore
Both cases were registered under Section 66D of the IT Act, which deals with cheating by personation using computer resources. Excluding these cases, Pune’s cyber fraud losses in 2024 would stand at Rs446 crore, which is lower than Mumbai’s.
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Police Response and Challenges in Tackling Cybercrime
Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar acknowledged the gravity of the cyber fraud situation and stated that the police department is working proactively to combat it. “We are focusing on responding within the ‘golden hours’ to freeze bank accounts of cyber fraudsters, ensuring timely recovery of victims’ money,” he said.
Cyber experts, meanwhile, point to a critical lack of public awareness regarding cyber threats. Police officials remain overburdened with other responsibilities, making it difficult for them to conduct awareness campaigns effectively. Lack of skilled manpower further hampers investigations, leading to delays in obtaining crucial information from banks, SIM card providers, and social media platforms.
“They often struggle to receive timely data, allowing fraudsters to escape. If SIM card companies and banks strictly enforce KYC norms without loopholes, cyber frauds can be significantly reduced,” said a cyber expert.
Government’s Measures to Combat Cybercrime
Acknowledging the growing cyber threat, CM Fadnavis outlined various government initiatives to tackle cyber frauds in Maharashtra:
- 50 Cyber Police Stations: The government has set up 50 specialized cyber police stations across the state with trained officers.
- Digital Forensic Laboratory: The ‘Centre of Excellence in Digital Forensic’ has been established in Pune to aid forensic investigations of cyber fraud cases.
- Semi-Automated Processing System: The home ministry is working on a semi-automated processing project to accelerate the analysis of long-pending cyber fraud cases.
Looking Ahead: A Multi-Pronged Approach
The alarming figures underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to combat cybercrime in Maharashtra. This includes:
- Enhanced Public Awareness: Launching widespread campaigns to educate citizens about cyber threats and prevention measures.
- Strengthening Law Enforcement: Providing adequate training and resources to police personnel, and streamlining information sharing between agencies and private entities.
- Systemic Improvements: Tightening KYC norms and security protocols in banks and telecom companies.
- Technological Advancements: Investing in advanced forensic tools and technologies to aid investigations.
By addressing these critical areas, the state can effectively curb the rising tide of cybercrime and protect its citizens from financial losses and other related harms.