Bengaluru | November 1, 2025: Karnataka, India’s technology hub, has emerged as the epicenter of cybercrime in the country, accounting for more than one-fourth of all cybercrime cases reported nationwide, according to Additional Director General of Police (Training).
Speaking at the passing-out parade of women constables at the Police Training School in Bengaluru on Friday, Mr. Kumar said that as digital awareness and online activity increase across the state, criminals are shifting from traditional offences to sophisticated digital frauds.
“There was a time when looting, dacoity, and gang wars dominated our crime records. But today, in a state as digitally advanced as Karnataka, crime has moved online,”
He added that Karnataka alone accounts for 25.76% of all cybercrime cases registered in India, underlining both the scale of digital penetration and the evolving sophistication of cybercriminals.
From Robbers to Hackers: A Changing Crime Landscape
Mr. Kumar noted that the transformation of crime in Karnataka mirrors the state’s rapid digitization. With millions of citizens using digital payment systems, social media, and e-governance platforms, criminals have adapted their methods accordingly.
Frauds involving online banking, fake job portals, digital loan apps, phishing, and “digital arrest” scams are now among the most frequently reported cases in the state.
“Criminals today don’t need guns — a smartphone and internet access are enough,” Mr. Kumar observed, calling for a new generation of police officers equipped with the technical skills to counter these threats.
Training the New Force for Cyber Policing
Emphasizing the need to prepare officers for this changing landscape, the ADGP said newly recruited constables must be trained in data analytics, digital forensics, online transaction tracking, and social media monitoring.
“Our police force must evolve. Traditional policing alone is no longer sufficient. Every officer needs to understand how data moves and how online frauds operate,”
The state police department, he said, is expanding its Cyber Crime Investigation and Response Units (CCIRU) and strengthening Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) Police Stations across districts to improve detection and response.
Why Karnataka Leads in Cybercrime Reports
Experts attribute Karnataka’s disproportionate share of cybercrime to multiple factors:
- High internet penetration and UPI adoption rates
- A large IT and start-up ecosystem generating vast digital activity
- Increasing online financial transactions
- Low awareness of cyber hygiene in semi-urban and rural areas
Police data suggests that complaints related to online investment scams, loan app frauds, romance scams, and impersonation cases have risen by over 60% in the past two years.
Government Response: Awareness and Rapid Action
To combat the growing menace, the Karnataka Police have launched several initiatives, including:
- Establishing specialized Cyber Crime Incident Response Units (CCIRUs)
- Operating a 24×7 national cyber helpline (1930)
- Conducting “Cyber Shiksha Abhiyan” campaigns across colleges and schools to build awareness
- Expanding CEN police stations to handle economic and digital offences more effectively
A State on the Digital Frontline
Karnataka’s dual identity — as both India’s technology capital and its cybercrime hotspot — captures the paradox of digital progress.
While technological innovation has empowered millions, it has also provided new tools for criminals.
Authorities warn that training, vigilance, and public awareness must now evolve as rapidly as technology itself.
“Cybercrime is the new frontier of policing,” Mr. Kumar concluded. “Our challenge is to stay one step ahead.”
