New Delhi | Indian citizens lost over ₹52,976 crore to various frauds and cheating cases over the past six years, according to data compiled by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a division of the Union Home Ministry. The data reveals a sharp rise in financial crimes, including investment scams, digital arrest frauds, online cheating, banking fraud, and cyber phishing.
2025 Fraud Figures: Crores Lost Every Six Months
According to I4C and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, around ₹19,812.96 crore was lost to frauds in 2025, with 21,77,524 complaints filed. For comparison, in 2024, ₹22,849.49 crore was lost with 19,18,852 complaints. In 2023 and 2022, losses were ₹7,463.2 crore and ₹2,290.23 crore respectively, highlighting a steady rise in cyber-enabled financial crimes.
State-wise Comparison: Which States Lost the Most
Analysis shows Maharashtra incurred the highest losses at ₹3,203 crore, followed by Karnataka at ₹2,413 crore, Tamil Nadu at ₹1,897 crore, Uttar Pradesh at ₹1,443 crore, and Telangana at ₹1,372 crore. These five states alone account for over half of the national total.
Other states reported significant losses as well: Gujarat lost ₹1,312.26 crore, Delhi ₹1,163 crore, and West Bengal ₹1,073.98 crore. Manipur recorded only ₹16.74 crore in losses with around 1,807 complaints filed.
Types of Fraud: From Investment Traps to Malware Attacks
I4C data indicates that of the ₹19,812 crore lost in 2025:
- 77% was in investment schemes
- 8% through digital arrest scams
- 7% via credit card fraud
- 4% through sextortion
- 3% in e-commerce frauds
- 1% from app/malware-based scams
The Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) recorded around 21 crore cyber fraud complaints, with 45% originating from Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.
Expert Insights: Stay Vigilant in Digital Transactions
Investigators attribute the sharp rise in frauds to rapid digitisation, increased online transactions, and the growing sophistication of scam networks. “While urban centres remain prime targets, smaller towns and rural areas are also seeing a surge, particularly in fraudulent loan apps and investment schemes promising unrealistically high returns,” an official said.
Experts urge citizens to adopt strong passwords, transact only on trusted platforms, and exercise caution while investing. Digital literacy and vigilance remain key defenses against financial scams.
Conclusion: Awareness and Digital Security Are the Solution
The top five states alone lost over ₹10,000 crore in 2025, underscoring the scale of financial fraud in India. The data highlights the urgent need for both government action and public awareness to strengthen cybersecurity measures.
Monitoring financial crimes, coupled with nationwide cyber awareness initiatives, is essential to curb this alarming trend.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
