A government report presented to the Madhya Pradesh State Assembly reveals a staggering financial toll from cyber fraud, with more than ₹1,054 crore siphoned from victims between May 1, 2021, and July 13, 2025. The data, provided in response to a question by Congress MLA Jaivardhan Singh, paints a picture of a state struggling to keep pace with the growing sophistication of digital crime. The revelations highlight a system where criminals are able to operate with apparent impunity, leaving behind a trail of financial devastation for thousands of people.
A Miniscule Recovery Rate
One of the most damning findings in the report is the abysmal recovery rate. Of the more than ₹1,000 crore lost to these scams, only a paltry ₹1.94 crore—less than 0.2% of the total amount—has been successfully recovered and returned to victims. The report also notes that an additional ₹105.21 crore has been put on hold, suggesting a potential for future recovery but highlighting the current gap in getting funds back to their rightful owners. The figures indicate that for most victims, the chances of recouping their losses are virtually nonexistent.
FCRF Launches India’s Premier Certified Data Protection Officer Program Aligned with DPDP Act
Lawmaker Criticizes State’s Response
Jaivardhan Singh, the Congress legislator who initiated the inquiry, did not mince words in his assessment of the situation. He accused the police of being “not at all equipped” to handle the complexities of cyber fraud, directly linking the low recovery rate to what he described as a severe lack of coordination between law enforcement agencies and financial institutions. Mr. Singh’s critique extended beyond the police force, pointing to the state’s weak digital infrastructure as a contributing factor to the high incidence of fraud, even as online transactions are actively promoted.
The Rising Tide of Digital Crime
The data presented in the assembly also charts a troubling increase in cyber fraud cases over the years. From January 2020 to July 15, 2025, the state recorded a total of 6,046 cases. The most significant spike was observed in 2024, which alone saw 1,193 new cases. This upward trend in reported incidents highlights the escalating challenge faced by authorities and citizens alike, making the state’s failure to address the problem all the more urgent.