Cybercrime has inflicted a mounting financial toll on Goa, with residents losing more than ₹74 crore to online fraud between 2023 and 2025, underscoring the rapid expansion and increasing sophistication of digital crimes in the state.
Data placed before the Legislative Assembly in a written reply to a starred question reveal a steep year-on-year escalation in cyber fraud losses. In 2023, reported losses stood at ₹3.60 crore. The figure surged sharply to ₹29.73 crore in 2024 and climbed further to ₹40.79 crore in 2025 (up to December 31). Cumulatively, the losses over the three-year period amount to ₹74.12 crore, highlighting the growing vulnerability of citizens amid expanding digital adoption.
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The data also point to a worrying trend: senior citizens are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals. In 2023, elderly victims accounted for 6.17% of reported cybercrime cases. This proportion more than doubled to 14.11% in 2024, before easing slightly to 12.21% in 2025. The figures suggest that fraudsters are systematically exploiting gaps in digital literacy and the trust traditionally associated with older age groups.
Officials attributed the surge in cybercrime to a combination of rapid digitalisation and low levels of public awareness about online risks. The expansion of online banking, digital payments and social media usage has widened the attack surface for criminals, while the misuse of personal data has fuelled identity theft and financial fraud. Scams promising “quick and easy money,” fake investment schemes and social engineering tactics remain among the most common methods used to deceive victims.
Authorities also pointed to the role of social media platforms, where oversharing of personal information has made individuals more susceptible to targeted fraud. In several cases, victims were manipulated into sharing one-time passwords, banking credentials or authorising transactions under false pretences, resulting in substantial financial losses.
To counter the growing menace, a range of measures has been rolled out at both the central and state levels. Citizens have been encouraged to report cyber fraud promptly through the national cybercrime reporting portal operated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, as well as via the 1930 national helpline, which is designed to enable rapid intervention and, in some cases, recovery of funds.
In addition, the Sanchar Saathi portal, developed to address telecom-related fraud, is being leveraged to curb misuse of mobile connections and fraudulent communications. These initiatives aim to disrupt criminal networks that rely heavily on anonymous or illegally obtained telecom resources.
At the state level, regular cyber fraud alerts and advisories are being issued through official police websites and social media channels to raise public awareness. Outreach programmes targeting students, working professionals and senior citizens are being conducted to educate users about common scam patterns, suspicious calls and phishing links. Law enforcement personnel have also been provided with specialised training and access to advanced digital forensic tools to strengthen investigation and prosecution of cyber offences.
Coordination with banks and financial institutions has been intensified to ensure quicker flagging and freezing of suspicious transactions. Such collaboration is seen as critical in limiting losses, particularly in cases where fraud is reported soon after it occurs.
The government noted, however, that cybercrime data are not maintained on a taluka-wise basis. Police station–wise statistics for the period from 2023 to 2025 have been compiled, providing a granular view of reported incidents across jurisdictions.
The figures presented in the Assembly underline the scale of the challenge facing Goa as digital transactions become increasingly embedded in everyday life. With financial losses mounting and senior citizens emerging as a high-risk group, experts stress that technology-driven enforcement must be matched by sustained public awareness campaigns to effectively contain the threat of cybercrime.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
