India’s national cybercrime response framework has recorded a major breakthrough in curbing digital fraud, preventing financial losses exceeding ₹8,189 crore between 2021 and December 31, 2025. Official data shows that coordinated interventions, rapid reporting mechanisms and technology-driven enforcement have significantly tightened the noose around cybercriminal networks operating across the country.
The recovery and prevention outcomes were enabled through the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS), under which more than 23.61 lakh complaints of financial cyber fraud were registered during the period. Designed for real-time reporting and swift intervention, the system allows banks and financial institutions to immediately flag and freeze suspicious transactions before funds are siphoned off.
While cybercrime prevention, investigation and prosecution remain the responsibility of States and Union Territories under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, the Centre has stepped in to supplement these efforts through a national coordination framework aimed at strengthening capacity, intelligence-sharing and technological support across jurisdictions.
At the core of this framework is the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, established in 2018 to develop an integrated ecosystem for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of cybercrime. With effect from July 2024, the centre was designated as an attached office of the Ministry of Home Affairs, marking a significant expansion of its operational mandate and coordination role.
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The coordination centre works across multiple verticals, including inter-agency cooperation, capacity building, technical assistance and nationwide awareness initiatives. Among its most visible citizen-facing interventions is the 1930 toll-free cybercrime helpline, which enables victims to report financial fraud incidents immediately. The helpline is directly integrated with the CFCFRMS platform, enabling rapid communication between law enforcement agencies, banks and payment service providers.
Beyond complaint handling, the national cybercrime framework has focused on dismantling the digital infrastructure that enables fraud. As of December 31, 2025, more than 12.21 lakh SIM cards and 3.03 lakh mobile device IMEI numbers linked to cybercrime complaints were blocked following verification by law enforcement agencies. This measure has significantly restricted the ability of fraudsters to reuse communication channels and rotate identities.
A key recent addition to the cybercrime ecosystem is the Suspect Registry, launched in September 2024 in collaboration with banks and financial institutions. The registry maintains a centralised database of identifiers linked to suspected cybercriminals and money mule networks. Data shared by participating entities shows that over 21.65 lakh suspect identifiers and 26.48 lakh Layer-1 mule accounts have been uploaded to the system. As a result, banks were able to proactively decline suspicious transactions worth ₹9,055.27 crore, preventing fraud before completion.
To further strengthen investigation and intelligence-sharing, the Samanvaya platform has been made operational as a dedicated management information system and cybercrime data repository. The platform enables law enforcement agencies across States and Union Territories to analyse interstate linkages of cybercrime complaints, identify recurring offenders and detect organised fraud patterns operating across jurisdictions.
Integrated within Samanvaya is the Pratibimb module, which provides geospatial mapping of cybercrime infrastructure and suspect locations. The visual analytics tool offers jurisdictional officers real-time visibility into crime networks, facilitating coordinated action across district and State boundaries. The platform also enables law enforcement agencies to seek and receive techno-legal assistance from central cybercrime units and subject-matter experts.
According to official records, the Samanvaya platform has contributed to the arrest of 20,853 accused persons and facilitated the processing of 1,35,074 cyber investigation assistance requests, significantly accelerating probes into complex and cross-border cybercrime cases.
In a move aimed at improving access to justice and reducing procedural delays, the Centre has also initiated the registration of electronic FIRs (e-FIRs) in cyber fraud cases. The e-FIR system has been implemented in Delhi, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh and Goa, allowing victims to formally register complaints without visiting police stations, particularly in cases involving financial cybercrime.
Officials say the e-FIR mechanism is intended to improve reporting rates, reduce response times and enable faster investigative action, especially in cases where early intervention is critical to tracing digital trails and freezing funds.
The Centre has continued to issue advisories and provide financial assistance to States and Union Territories for upgrading cybercrime units, training personnel and deploying advanced forensic and analytical tools. Public awareness campaigns remain a central pillar of the strategy, with citizens repeatedly urged to report cyber fraud promptly and avoid sharing sensitive personal or financial information.
As cybercrime grows in scale and sophistication, authorities indicate that the next phase of the national strategy will focus on deeper data integration, faster response mechanisms and tighter coordination among banks, telecom service providers and law enforcement agencies. Officials believe that the expanding reach and capability of the national cybercrime framework has already increased both the risk and cost for digital fraudsters operating in India’s rapidly digitising economy.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
