Dehradun: Cyber fraud has emerged as one of Uttarakhand’s fastest-growing crimes, with residents losing an estimated ₹475 crore over the last five years amid a sharp rise in digital scams, police data shows. The scale of the losses has underscored growing vulnerabilities in online transactions and the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals targeting individuals across age groups.
According to figures compiled by Uttarakhand Police, the state recorded close to 99,000 cybercrime complaints between 2021 and 2025, but managed to recover only around ₹70 crore, highlighting the difficulty of tracing digital money trails once funds are siphoned off.
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Police officials said mobile phones have become the primary tool for cyber fraud, replacing traditional methods of deception. “A single call, message or link is often enough. In a matter of seconds, hard-earned money vanishes from bank accounts,” a senior officer said.
Cases multiply year after year
The data reveals a consistent and alarming upward trend. In 2021, Uttarakhand registered 4,400 cybercrime complaints, with losses amounting to ₹15 crore. The following year saw 11,000 complaints and losses of ₹40 crore. In 2023, the number of cases rose to 18,000, with ₹70 crore swindled.
The spike became steeper in 2024, when 34,000 complaints were recorded and losses touched ₹170 crore. In 2025, despite a slight dip in complaints to just over 32,000, the amount lost climbed further to ₹180 crore — the highest annual loss in the five-year period.
Police said the figures reflect both increased reporting and the expanding reach of organised cyber fraud networks that operate across states and, in many cases, from outside the country.
New-age scams replace old tricks
Investigators say cybercriminals are constantly refining their tactics, using fear, greed and trust as entry points. Among the most common frauds reported are so-called digital arrests, where victims are threatened over video calls with fabricated charges and coerced into transferring money.
Other prevalent methods include AI voice cloning, where fraudsters mimic the voice of a relative or acquaintance to demand urgent funds, and fake investment apps promising high returns through shares, IPOs or cryptocurrencies. Fraudulent links posing as traffic challans, fake customer care numbers, QR code scams that reverse payment flows, and work-from-home schemes charging registration fees are also widely reported.
Police said investment scams have proven particularly damaging. Victims are often drawn in with small, credible-looking rewards through fake websites or review programmes, before being pressured into investing large sums.
Awareness push, limited recovery
Senior officials said enforcement alone cannot solve the problem, stressing the need for public awareness. Navneet Bhullar, a senior police officer overseeing cybercrime operations, said fraudsters are exploiting new technologies faster than many users can adapt.
He warned against sharing OTPs, clicking unknown links or responding to unsolicited calls claiming to be from banks or government agencies. Citizens have been advised not to search customer care numbers on search engines, where fake helplines often appear, and to verify job offers and investment schemes through official channels.
Police have urged victims of financial cybercrime to immediately contact the national cyber helpline 1930, noting that early reporting significantly improves the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions.
A growing governance challenge
Experts say Uttarakhand’s experience mirrors a nationwide trend, where digital adoption has outpaced cyber awareness. While online payments and services have expanded access and convenience, they have also created fertile ground for fraud.
Despite repeated advisories, recovery remains low compared to the scale of losses, raising concerns about investigative capacity and inter-state coordination. Officials acknowledge that many fraud rings operate through mule accounts and encrypted platforms, complicating enforcement.
As cybercrime continues to rise, police officials say sustained awareness campaigns, faster response systems and stronger coordination with banks and payment platforms will be crucial. Without that, they warn, the gap between losses and recoveries is likely to widen further — leaving ordinary citizens to bear the cost of an increasingly digital threat.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
