Residents of Mangaluru have lost more than ₹100 crore to cyber fraud over the past 26 months, underscoring the scale and sophistication of online financial crimes affecting the coastal city.
Police Commissioner Warns Public
The figures were shared by Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy while addressing participants at the ‘Run for Drug Free Karnataka and Cyber Safety’ event held in the city on Sunday. More than 2,000 individuals, including students, runners and police personnel, participated in the programme.
Speaking ahead of the flag-off at Mangala Stadium, Mr. Reddy cautioned citizens against falling prey to fraudulent online investment schemes, digital arrest scams and other deceptive methods employed by cyber criminals. He said that in 2024, 2025 and the first two months of 2026 alone, reported losses had crossed ₹100 crore.
No Shortcuts to Quick Profits
“There is no shortcut to earning money,” he told the gathering, pointing out that fraudsters often attract victims by promising unusually high returns. In recent cases, two individuals in the city reportedly lost ₹1.20 crore and ₹85,000 respectively in separate online investment scams.
He advised citizens to invest only through firms registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), stressing the need to verify the authenticity of financial platforms before transferring funds.
One-Hour Reporting Critical
Highlighting the importance of prompt reporting, the Commissioner said victims should inform authorities within one hour of detecting a fraudulent transaction. Quick reporting increases the chances of blocking fund transfers and recovering money. Delays beyond 24 hours, he noted, make recovery significantly more difficult as funds are often routed overseas.
Bank Vigilance Prevents Losses
He also urged banks to closely monitor suspicious transactions. In a recent instance, staff at a public sector bank alerted authorities after detecting unusual activity involving a senior citizen couple targeted in a digital arrest scam, enabling timely intervention and prevention of further loss.
Awareness Run Promotes Safety
Krishna Mohan Mucharla, Deputy General Manager (Business and Administration) at the State Bank of India, said banks have strengthened internal monitoring systems to detect and block suspicious transactions. He emphasised that public awareness remains a crucial factor in preventing cyber fraud.
Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police K. Arun also addressed the gathering, calling for community participation in combating both drug abuse and cyber crime.
The awareness run featured 5K and 10K categories. Participants in the 5K run proceeded from Mangala Stadium to the Venkataramana Temple on Car Street before returning to the stadium. The 10K runners covered an extended route, passing Venkataramana Temple and Clock Tower, turning around near Mangaladevi Temple and returning to the stadium along the same path.
The event was jointly organised by the Mangaluru city police and the Dakshina Kannada district police as part of outreach initiatives promoting drug-free living and digital safety.
With cyber crime losses crossing the ₹100 crore mark in just over two years, authorities reiterated that vigilance, timely reporting and informed financial decisions remain the most effective safeguards against online fraud.
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.
