Cybercrime in Gujarat continues to surge despite ongoing awareness campaigns and frequent crackdowns on local, national, and international fraud networks. Between January and September 2025, cybercriminals targeted 142,476 individuals across the state, successfully defrauding 72,091 victims of a total ₹678 crore, according to data from the Gujarat CID Cyber Cell.
Authorities noted that several victims were able to protect their funds through timely alerts to the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930), which enabled the freezing of suspicious transactions. Nevertheless, the sheer scale of financial loss underscores the growing pervasiveness of cybercrime in the state.
Ahmedabad and Surat at the Top
The data reveals that Ahmedabad City recorded the highest number of cybercrime calls (28,382), followed by Surat City (20,102) and Vadodara City (10,433). Smaller districts were not immune: rural regions such as Surat Rural (3,320) and Rajkot Rural (2,407) also reported thousands of complaints.
District-wise Cybercrime Calls (Jan–Sept 2025)
District / Unit Number of Calls
Ahmedabad City 28,382
Surat City 20,102
Vadodara City 10,433
Rajkot City 7,643
Gandhinagar 4,884
Bharuch 4,404
Ahmedabad Rural 4,367
Valsad 3,871
Bhavnagar 3,663
Mehsana 3,618
Other 25 districts 50,089+
Total 1,42,476
Fraudsters Exploit Fear and Technology
Officials said scammers continue to evolve, using social engineering to manipulate fear and trust. Recent incidents illustrate the variety of scams:
- In Ahmedabad, a retired government employee lost funds in a WhatsApp cryptocurrency scam.
- In Gandhinagar, a female doctor was subjected to a “digital arrest” for three months, defrauded of ₹55 lakh with promises of high returns.
- A 62-year-old man lost ₹66 lakh after clicking a fake investment link.
- A 46-year-old Ahmedabad resident was deceived into transferring ₹57 lakh over alleged Aadhaar misuse in Mumbai.
- In Dahegam, a farmer was falsely told he was under CBI investigation and lost ₹45 lakh.
Police noted that scams are no longer confined to major cities; small towns and rural areas are increasingly affected.
Victims Educated but Digitally Vulnerable
Many victims fall prey despite being educated, often due to trust in unknown callers or unfamiliarity with online banking protocols. Retirees and financially stressed individuals are particularly vulnerable. Fraudsters frequently pose as law enforcement officers, executing “digital arrests” that compel victims to maintain prolonged contact while coerced into transferring money.
Delayed reporting further compounds the problem, allowing scammers time to move stolen funds before authorities intervene.
Sharp Increase from 2024
The 2025 figures represent a sharp rise from 2024, when Gujarat recorded 1.31 lakh cybercrime complaints. That year, authorities returned ₹108 crore to victims and froze ₹285 crore in fraudulent transactions. In contrast, the first nine months of 2025 have already seen 1.42 lakh complaints and losses totaling ₹678 crore, highlighting an escalating threat that continues to challenge both law enforcement and citizens.
