Cybercrime has emerged as one of the most alarming threats in the capital, with fraudsters siphoning off nearly ₹14 billion from Delhi residents’ bank accounts in just four and a half years. Despite government initiatives and specialized police units, scams have continued to escalate, with 2024 alone recording fraud worth over ₹8 billion.
According to data presented in Parliament by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, cyber fraud has multiplied sharply in recent years. In 2023, scams amounted to nearly ₹2 billion, but the figure jumped to more than ₹8 billion in 2024, highlighting the growing sophistication of cybercriminal networks.
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Rising Fraud, Limited Policing Capacity
The surge in cybercrime cases coincided with the post-pandemic digital boom, where more people began relying on online banking and mobile payments. Despite efforts to strengthen cyber policing, including the establishment of dedicated cyber police stations in all 15 districts of Delhi in 2021, the system remains under severe strain.
Experts note that law enforcement has struggled not only to apprehend major cybercriminals but also to recover stolen funds. While recovery rates were earlier negligible, Delhi Police now expect to improve recovery to 20–25% in 2025 following directives from the Union Home Ministry.
However, challenges persist. Staffing shortages in cyber police stations, coupled with a surge in complaints, mean that not all victims receive prompt action. In the first six months of 2025, only 184 cases were officially registered, with reported fraud totalling ₹706 million, raising concerns that many cases may remain unreported or unresolved.
New Digital FIR Initiative for Victims
In June, Home Minister Amit Shah announced a pilot project in Delhi to streamline reporting of cybercrime through automatic “e-zero FIRs.” Complaints filed via the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (I4C) or the helpline 1930 are now directly converted into preliminary FIRs, which are later transferred to relevant police stations for formal investigation.
This measure is currently applicable to fraud cases involving more than ₹1 million and aims to ensure victims can act swiftly. Authorities believe the initiative could reduce delays and help improve recovery of stolen funds. Nevertheless, the trend shows cyber fraud expanding at an unprecedented pace, with criminals exploiting gaps in enforcement, technology, and victim awareness. Delhi’s experience reflects a broader national challenge as India grapples with the rapid rise of online financial crime.