New Delhi: Cybercrime in India has surged at an alarming pace, with citizens reporting nearly 65.9 lakh cyber fraud complaints over the past five years, resulting in cumulative financial losses of ₹55,659 crore, according to data shared by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Parliament.
Drawing on figures from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System, the ministry said incidents linked to digital payments, fake investment schemes, social engineering, identity theft and online scams have risen sharply year after year, mirroring the rapid expansion of online transactions across the country.
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The disclosure was made in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar informed the House that more than 2.4 million cyber fraud complaints were recorded in 2025 alone, marking the highest annual tally so far.
By comparison, 1.92 million complaints were logged in 2024, 1.31 million in 2023, 0.69 million in 2022 and 0.26 million in 2021, highlighting a steep upward trajectory in reported cyber offences.
The financial impact has grown just as dramatically. While the total amount reported in 2021 stood at ₹551 crore, losses escalated to ₹22,495 crore in 2025. Although this figure was marginally lower than the ₹22,848 crore reported in 2024, officials underlined that the overall trend continues to point upward, underlining the expanding scale and sophistication of cyber-enabled fraud.
At the same time, the government said enforcement mechanisms have been significantly strengthened to curb losses. Swift action taken on over 2.36 million complaints helped prevent ₹8,189 crore from being siphoned off by fraudsters. This has been achieved through closer real-time coordination among banks, payment platforms and law enforcement agencies, enabling suspicious transactions to be flagged quickly and accounts frozen before funds can be withdrawn.
Officials said fraudsters are increasingly deploying advanced tactics, including bogus call centres, phishing links, deepfake-driven impersonation scams and mule account networks. Vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, first-time investors and small business owners are being disproportionately targeted, often due to lower levels of digital awareness.
In response, the home ministry has asked states and Union territories to enhance the capacity of cybercrime police stations, upgrade digital forensic infrastructure and intensify public awareness campaigns. Citizens have also been urged to remain vigilant against unsolicited calls, unknown links and unsolicited investment offers, and to report any suspected fraud immediately through the national cybercrime portal.
Cybersecurity experts warn that as online payments and app-based services become embedded in daily life, individuals must treat digital safety as a personal responsibility. Measures such as strong passwords, two-factor authentication, regular software updates and avoiding suspicious messages are no longer optional but essential safeguards.
The government said additional steps are in the pipeline, including AI-powered alert systems, faster bank-freeze mechanisms and interstate task forces to track organised cybercrime networks. These initiatives aim to shorten response times and improve fund recovery, ensuring that victims’ money can be protected before it disappears into layered accounts.
With cyber fraud now emerging as one of the fastest-growing forms of financial crime in India, officials stressed that sustained coordination between agencies—and greater public awareness—will be key to slowing the tide.
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.
