New Delhi: Cybercrime continued to pose a serious threat across India in 2025, with senior citizens and women emerging as two of the most affected groups. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the Rajya Sabha that 1,03,488 senior citizens and 4,63,114 women reported financial cyber fraud complaints during the year, involving total losses of ₹7,769.63 crore. The figures underscore the growing scale and financial impact of digital fraud in the country.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar shared the information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. He said the data was compiled from complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). According to the ministry, senior citizens reported financial cyber fraud losses amounting to ₹4,005.12 crore, while women reported losses of ₹3,764.51 crore during 2025.
The government stated that the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal enables citizens across the country to report all types of cybercrime, with particular emphasis on offences targeting women and children. The platform is designed to facilitate prompt registration of complaints and their timely forwarding to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for further action.
Responding to another parliamentary query, the minister clarified that police and public order are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Therefore, the primary responsibility for preventing, detecting, investigating, and prosecuting cybercrime rests with the respective State Governments and Union Territories. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs supports these efforts by providing policy guidance, technological assistance, capacity building, and financial resources to strengthen cybercrime prevention and enforcement.
The ministry further noted that the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) operates the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, which serves as a centralized platform for citizens to report cyber offences. Complaints received through the portal are forwarded to the concerned states and law enforcement agencies, enabling faster coordination and timely investigation.
The government also highlighted that the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) was launched under I4C in 2021 to facilitate the immediate reporting of financial cyber fraud. The system is designed to coordinate with banks and financial institutions to block or freeze fraudulent transactions at the earliest possible stage. In several cases, prompt reporting through the platform has helped authorities prevent further fund transfers and recover money for victims.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said senior citizens and women are frequently targeted through social engineering-based cyber scams. Fraudsters often impersonate bank officials, government agencies, customer support representatives, or law enforcement officers and exploit tactics such as digital arrest scams, fake investment schemes, KYC update requests, fraudulent government benefit claims, and online shopping fraud to obtain victims’ personal and banking information.
He advised citizens to verify every financial request independently, avoid sharing sensitive banking credentials, and never trust unsolicited calls, QR codes, links, or mobile applications. He also urged victims to immediately report financial cyber fraud through the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to improve the chances of freezing stolen funds.
Experts believe that as digital transactions continue to expand rapidly, stronger public awareness, timely reporting, and close coordination among law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, and technology platforms remain essential to reducing cyber fraud and minimizing financial losses. The government, meanwhile, continues to strengthen technological infrastructure, enhance investigative capabilities, and promote nationwide cyber awareness initiatives to better protect citizens from emerging digital threats.
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.
