Fraud and sexual exploitation prime motives behind rising cyber crimes in India

People living in metro cities are more vulnerable to cybercrime attacks. The latest crime data released by National Crime Records Bureau data (NCRB) show a steep rise of 63.5 per cent in cybercrime cases in India and startling 82 per cent rise in cities.

The latest data released by NCRB show an overall increase in cases to 44,546 from 27,248 in 2018 and 21,796 in 2017. These numbers are based on FIRs registered by state police so the actual number of cases is much higher.

In terms of state, Karnataka tops the chart with highest 12,020 cybercrimes cases followed by Uttar Pradesh (11,416) and Maharashtra (4,967). Among the Union Territories, Delhi alone accounted for 78 per cent of cybercrimes.

While among cities, Mumbai recorded the maximum number of cybercrime cases after Bengaluru in 2019.

Bengaluru recorded 10,555 cases in 2019, while Mumbai saw a steep rise in cybercrime cases in 2019 with 2,527 cases being registered, reported the NCRB. Mumbai had recorded 1,362 cybercrime cases in 2017 and it had marginally increased to 1,482 in 2018, data showed.

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Motive Behind Rising Cases:

A detailed analysis of data shows a maximum of  26,891 cases (60.4% of total cases) was done due to fraud as the motive, sexual exploitation in 2,266 cases (5.1%), causing disrepute in 1,874 cases (4.2%), extortion in 1,842 cases, pranks in 1,385 cases, personal revenge in 1,207 cases; and anger in 581 cases. As many as 316 cybercrimes had political motives while 199 related to terror funding, 8 to terror recruitment and 49 to inciting hate against the country.

Of the total 44,546 cybercrimes, 30,729 were registered under various provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 13,730 under IPC read with IT Act and 87 under Special & Local Laws (SLL) read with IT Act.

According to cybercrime experts, earlier only affluent were targeted by cybercrime but now with cheaper internet and promotion of digital payments more and more people are falling victim.

The rising number is also a challenge for the Law enforcement agencies which needs expertise and technical know-how in investigating such cases.