Residents of Visakhapatnam lost more than Rs 60 crore to cyber fraudsters between January and August 2026, posing a growing challenge for police as the recovery rate remains below 12%. Investigators are also finding it increasingly difficult to track cases and recover money transferred through online fraud.
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How many cyber fraud complaints have been reported?
The cybercrime police station registered around 140 FIRs based on more than 800 complaints from across the city during the eight-month period.
Police officials said around 20 complaints are received every day and about 20 complaints a month are converted into FIRs. In 2025, cybercriminals duped more than 2,000 people in Vizag, causing losses of around Rs 122 crore.
Why are cybercrime cases rising in Vizag?
A senior police officer said investment frauds involving online trading platforms take a major share of the losses. A significant number of cybercrime cases reported in recent months have involved such investment-related frauds.
Police said victims are often drawn into digital arrest scams, bogus stock and investment schemes, fake know-your-customer updates, malicious APK files and phishing messages.
JHow much money has police recovered?
Despite the scale of the losses, Vizag city police have managed to refund around Rs 28.5 crore to more than 1,550 victims of cyber fraud over the past few years.
Police said the recovery process remains difficult because fraudsters rapidly move money through multiple bank accounts, making it harder for investigators to freeze and recover the funds before they are transferred further.
How are fraudsters moving stolen money?
Police said more than 210 youngsters, including employees of private firms and government departments, lost over Rs 1 crore in investment scams.
Fraudsters allegedly obtain or use bank accounts to receive money from victims and then move the funds through multiple accounts. Police said criminals continue to create new mule accounts even when existing accounts are blocked or frozen.
Why is recovering cyber fraud money difficult?
According to police, fraudsters’ accounts are often frozen within minutes of complaints being received, but criminals continue to create new mule accounts.
Police said they have found that some unemployed youths and low-income private employees supply bank accounts to fraudsters in return for commissions, complicating efforts to trace the flow of money.
What is driving the surge in cyber fraud?
Police attributed the increase in cyber fraud largely to greed and the lure of quick profits. According to officials, many people want to double their money within a few days and fall prey to fraudsters despite repeated awareness campaigns.
Victims have even attempted suicide after losing large sums of money, police said. Authorities continue to urge residents to remain cautious while dealing with online investment offers and other suspicious financial schemes.
How can residents protect themselves from cyber fraud?
Police have advised residents to remain cautious about online investment offers promising quick or unusually high returns. People should avoid transferring money to unfamiliar accounts, sharing banking details or installing suspicious APK files, and should carefully verify investment platforms and financial requests before making any payment.
About the author — Ayesha Aayat writes on cybercrime, digital safety, and emerging online threats. Her work focuses on public awareness, legal clarity, and technology-driven risks.
