Coimbatore District Police have warned residents to remain alert against online fraud after latest police data showed alleged cybercrime losses of around ₹36.23 crore during the first nine months of the year.
According to the figures cited by police, 4,535 cybercrime complaints were received during the period.
Of these, 2,078 complaints came through the national cybercrime helpline 1930, while another 2,457 were filed through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
The data shows that while online shopping generated the largest number of complaints, fake investment and trading schemes caused by far the largest financial losses.
FCRF Launches CP-FRM to Build India’s Next Generation of Fraud Risk Professionals
Investment and Trading Frauds Cause ₹15.73 Crore Loss
Investment and trading fraud emerged as the most financially damaging category.
Police data showed losses of ₹15,73,86,766 from such scams.
These frauds typically begin with promises of unusually high profits from stock trading, cryptocurrency or other investments.
Victims may be added to WhatsApp or Telegram groups where supposed experts share trading recommendations and screenshots showing large profits.
They are then directed to fake trading websites or applications.
The dashboard may show the victim’s investment growing rapidly even though no genuine securities have been purchased.
Problems usually begin when the victim attempts to withdraw the displayed profits.
Fraudsters may then demand additional payments in the name of tax, processing fees, margin requirements or account activation.
Online Shopping Generates Highest Number of Complaints
The largest number of complaints involved e-commerce and online purchases.
Police recorded 917 complaints in this category.
These cases allegedly resulted in losses of approximately ₹2.08 crore.
Common methods include fake shopping websites, fraudulent social-media advertisements and sellers who collect payments but never deliver the promised products.
Some fraudsters also impersonate established brands or customer-care services to obtain card or UPI information.
Consumers should verify unfamiliar websites before making payments and avoid transferring money directly to personal accounts for purchases advertised through unknown social-media pages.
Job Scams Cost Victims ₹1.77 Crore
Police recorded 276 complaints involving employment-related fraud.
The reported losses reached approximately ₹1.77 crore.
Job fraudsters often advertise positions through WhatsApp, Telegram, social media or fake recruitment websites.
Victims may initially be asked to complete simple online tasks before being encouraged to deposit increasing amounts of money.
Others are charged registration fees, security deposits, training charges or visa-processing fees for jobs that do not exist.
Legitimate employers generally do not demand substantial payments from applicants simply to issue an appointment letter.
APK Fraud Behind 259 Complaints
Police also received 259 complaints involving APK files, with reported losses of around ₹1.30 crore.
An APK is the file format used to install applications on Android phones.
APK files themselves are not dangerous, but cybercriminals increasingly disguise malicious applications as electricity bills, traffic challans, bank updates, government schemes or courier documents.
Once installed, a malicious application may seek access to SMS messages, notifications or other sensitive functions.
This can potentially expose banking OTPs and other financial information.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has separately warned about fraudulent applications and said thousands of malicious or misleading apps have been blocked as part of nationwide cybercrime enforcement.
Loan Apps Remain Major Source of Complaints
Police recorded 415 complaints involving loan applications.
Fraudulent loan apps often attract users by promising immediate credit with minimal documentation.
Some applications subsequently obtain access to a user’s contacts, photographs or other information and allegedly use that material for harassment or extortion.
The government has stepped up action against such applications nationally.
As of June 30, 2026, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre had facilitated the blocking of 3,718 mobile applications, including fraudulent loan apps.
Digital Arrest Scams Continue to Target Residents
Digital arrest fraud remains another serious concern.
Police data cited in the latest alert showed losses of approximately ₹1.04 crore from such scams.
Fraudsters typically impersonate police officers, investigators or government officials and falsely tell victims that their Aadhaar number, bank account, SIM card or parcel has been connected with a serious crime.
The target may then be ordered to remain on a video call and transfer money to a supposed “safe account” for verification.
There is no legitimate legal procedure called a digital arrest.
Coimbatore has already seen serious examples of this method. In September, a 75-year-old industrialist was allegedly cheated of ₹5.5 crore after callers posing as police officers accused him of involvement in terror funding.
Credit Card, Phishing and Wrong-Number Frauds Also Reported
Other major categories cited by police include 198 hacking complaints, 183 personal loan complaints, 163 credit card fraud cases and 151 complaints involving social media.
Police also recorded 201 complaints involving so-called wrong-number fraud.
These schemes may begin with an apparently accidental WhatsApp message or call.
The fraudster gradually develops a conversation before introducing investment, cryptocurrency or other financial opportunities.
Phishing remains another common technique.
Victims may receive fake SMS messages, emails or websites designed to resemble banks, government agencies or well-known companies.
The aim is usually to steal passwords, card information or other credentials.
Reporting Quickly Can Help Freeze Stolen Money
Police have urged victims of financial cyber fraud to report incidents immediately through the national helpline 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Speed is critical because cybercriminals often transfer stolen money rapidly through multiple bank accounts.
The national Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System was created to help banks and law-enforcement agencies act quickly after a complaint.
The Ministry of Home Affairs says more than ₹11,158 crore had been prevented from being siphoned off through this system across more than 32.8 lakh complaints as of June 30, 2026.
The government’s official cybercrime portal confirms that 1930 remains the designated number for immediate reporting of financial cyber fraud.
What this means for you
Treat guaranteed investment returns, unexpected job offers, APK files and callers claiming to place you under “digital arrest” as serious warning signs. If money has already been transferred in a suspected cyber fraud, immediately call 1930 and report the transaction through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Follow for daily updates on cybercrime, corporate fraud, DFIR, hacking, investigations, and digital forensics
