Odisha residents lost about ₹370.72 crore to cyberfraud between 2023 and 2025, but only around ₹9.97 crore was recovered, leaving the recovery rate at roughly 2.7%, according to figures presented in the state Assembly.
The state recorded 7,652 cybercrime cases during the three-year period.
How Much Money Was Lost to Cyberfraud?
The cumulative amount lost to cyberfraud in 2023, 2024 and 2025 stood at about ₹370.72 crore. Against this, the amount recovered was nearly ₹9.97 crore.
The figures underline a wide gap between money reported lost and funds eventually recovered. Police linked the difficulty in recovering stolen money partly to delays in reporting fraud and the speed at which criminals move funds after receiving them.
What Scams Were Reported in Odisha?
Police sources said a majority of reported cyberfraud cases involved part-time job scams, fraudulent share-trading schemes, digital arrest scams and fake online investment opportunities. Cryptocurrency-related fraud was also among the categories reported.
While the methods differ, these scams commonly depend on persuading victims to transfer money or provide access to their financial accounts.
Cybersecurity expert said the actual financial losses could be significantly higher because some victims do not report cyberfraud.
He attributed the continuing rise in cases partly to limited public awareness and the appeal of fraudulent schemes promising unrealistic returns and quick profits.
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Why Is Recovering Stolen Money Difficult?
Police said delayed reporting sharply reduces the possibility of recovering money after a cyberfraud.
Once money is transferred, fraudsters may rapidly move it through several bank accounts. Police specifically pointed to the use of mule accounts and swift transfers of funds across multiple accounts as factors that make recovery more difficult.
Investigators then have to trace the transaction trail, coordinate with banks and attempt to identify, freeze or recover the funds before they are moved further or withdrawn.
A senior police officer said it becomes difficult to recover money when victims report fraud late. According to the officer, an early complaint improves the chances of freezing suspect accounts and blocking transactions.
Why Does Early Reporting Matter?
Police described the initial period after a fraudulent transaction as a critical window for intervention. The sooner investigators and banks receive information about the fraud, the greater their opportunity to follow the money trail before it is dispersed.
Another senior police officer said complaints should ideally be lodged during the “golden hour”. However, many victims approach authorities only after a substantial delay, by which time the money may have been transferred through several accounts or withdrawn.
The low recovery rate therefore reflects not only the scale of cyberfraud but also the operational difficulty of responding after funds have already moved through the banking system.
What Should Victims Do After a Cyberfraud?
Police have urged victims to report fraudulent transactions immediately by calling the 1930 cybercrime helpline and filing a complaint through the Centre’s National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in.
Victims can subsequently submit a formal written complaint. Police said rapid reporting gives authorities a better opportunity to freeze suspect accounts, block transactions and trace the movement of stolen funds.
Victims of cyber fraud should act quickly after discovering an unauthorised transaction. Knowing where to report the fraud, what evidence to preserve and how to file a complaint can help authorities respond faster. Read our step-by-step guide on how to report cybercrime online in India here. Click Here to Read
What Do the Figures Show?
The figures show that while hundreds of crores of rupees were reported lost to cyberfraud over three years, only a small proportion was recovered. Experts also cautioned that reported losses may not represent the full scale of the problem because some victims never approach authorities.
The combination of delayed complaints, multiple bank transfers, mule accounts and quick withdrawals can make tracing and recovering money increasingly difficult after a fraud takes place.
The420 Insight
Odisha’s figures show why speed matters after a cyber financial fraud. Victims should contact 1930 and report the transaction through the national cybercrime portal immediately. The longer stolen funds remain in circulation, the greater the possibility that they will be moved through multiple accounts, making recovery more difficult.
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.
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