Cyber-enabled financial crime continues to escalate across India, with the latest data presented before the Union Ministry of Home Affairs showing that more than 1.271 million (12.71 lakh) financial cyber fraud complaints were registered nationwide between January 1 and June 30, 2026. Complainants reported alleged losses exceeding ₹10,178 crore, with Uttar Pradesh recording the highest number of complaints, while Maharashtra reported the largest financial loss.
The figures were discussed during a recent review meeting chaired by senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs to assess the country’s cybercrime landscape. According to the state-wise data, Uttar Pradesh recorded 185,000 complaints, followed by Maharashtra (158,000), Karnataka (121,000), Gujarat (97,937), and Bihar (93,137). Other states reporting high complaint volumes included Rajasthan (75,883), West Bengal (72,439), Delhi (64,496), Tamil Nadu (63,116), and Haryana (58,721).
Although Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of complaints, Maharashtra suffered the greatest financial impact. The state recorded alleged cyber fraud losses of ₹1,637.66 crore, followed by Karnataka (₹1,097.37 crore), Tamil Nadu (₹897.79 crore), Uttar Pradesh (₹734.19 crore), Gujarat (₹643.82 crore), Chandigarh (₹630.53 crore), and Telangana (₹614.18 crore).
The data also highlights the growing prevalence of online investment fraud, digital arrest scams, fake loan app fraud, phishing attacks, impersonation, and fraudulent links circulated through messaging applications and social media platforms. Investigators believe cybercriminals are increasingly combining advanced technology with social engineering techniques to target individuals and steal money.
Of the 1.271 million complaints received during the six-month period, 286,000 cases were forwarded for banking intervention, while 270,000 complaints were processed by banks through the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System. During the same period, banks placed liens or holds on ₹2,968.85 crore out of the reported ₹10,178.97 crore, representing an overall recovery intervention rate of approximately 29.17 percent.
Smaller states and Union Territories reported comparatively fewer complaints. Lakshadweep recorded 37 complaints, Ladakh 174, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 406, Mizoram 432, Nagaland 455, Sikkim 537, Arunachal Pradesh 656, and Meghalaya 784.
The data further shows that between 2021 and May 2026, citizens across India reported cybercrime-related financial losses exceeding ₹64,447 crore. During this period, banks froze ₹10,718 crore, but only ₹323 crore has so far been refunded to victims, highlighting the significant challenges involved in tracing and recovering stolen funds.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said organised cybercriminal groups are no longer relying solely on technical vulnerabilities but are increasingly exploiting human behaviour through sophisticated social engineering techniques. According to him, the steady rise in digital arrest scams, investment fraud, fake banking calls, mule account operations, and identity-based cyber fraud indicates that cybercrime syndicates are becoming more organised and professionally structured. He stressed that combating cybercrime effectively requires not only stronger technological safeguards but also greater public awareness, prompt incident reporting, closer coordination with banks, and real-time information sharing among law enforcement agencies.
Experts believe that strengthening digital literacy, enhancing banking surveillance systems, improving rapid fund-freezing mechanisms, and ensuring better coordination among states will be critical to reducing financial losses and improving the country’s response to the rapidly evolving cybercrime ecosystem.
