Chandigarh | Cyber fraud cases in Punjab continue to rise sharply, even as financial and digital awareness mechanisms remain weak. Official data show that between 2021 and 2025, the state recorded 75,087 cyber fraud cases, resulting in losses of nearly ₹740 crore. While swift action helped freeze ₹101 crore, experts point out that the recovered amount represents only a small fraction of the total loss.
Amid this worrying trend, it has emerged that nine districts in Punjab still do not have a single financial literacy centre. Expressing serious concern, the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) has directed that financial literacy centres be set up mandatorily in all districts and has sought detailed compliance reports from the concerned banks.
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Nine Districts Without Financial Literacy Centres
According to the SLBC report, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Muktsar Sahib, Rupnagar, Sangrur, and Malerkotla do not have operational financial literacy centres. As per guidelines, every district must have at least one such centre. Where no centre exists, the responsibility for establishing it lies with the district’s lead bank.
The committee has instructed that centres in these districts be set up at the earliest and progress reports submitted within a fixed timeline.
Financial Literacy Camps Below Prescribed Norms
The report also highlights shortcomings in the conduct of financial literacy camps. Punjab has 3,278 rural bank branches, which together organised 8,135 financial literacy camps. This translates to an average of 2.48 camps per branch, significantly below the prescribed norm of at least three camps per quarter per rural branch.
Taking note of this gap, the SLBC has issued strict directions to banks to ensure compliance with the prescribed standards and to submit regular updates on camp activities.
Special Focus on Cyber Awareness
The SLBC has further directed that all future financial literacy camps must mandatorily include sessions on cyber fraud prevention, safe digital banking practices, correct use of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), and secure online transactions.
The committee believes that expanding the scope of financial literacy is critical to protecting citizens from increasingly sophisticated cyber frauds.
Wide Gap in Official Figures
According to data from the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS), operated under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Punjab recorded cyber fraud losses of ₹740 crore between 2021 and 2025, while only ₹101 crore could be frozen through timely intervention. To enable faster reporting of cyber crimes, the toll-free helpline 1930 was launched in 2021.
How Cyber Fraudsters Target Victims
Officials said cyber criminals often pose as bank officials, customer care executives, or representatives of government agencies, tricking people into sharing OTP codes, PINs, or other sensitive information. Once obtained, these details are used to siphon money from bank accounts.
Cases of so-called “digital arrest” have also risen sharply, where fraudsters impersonate police, CBI, or Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials to intimidate victims into transferring money.
Experts stress that combating cyber crime requires more than technical safeguards alone. Strengthening financial and digital literacy at the grassroots level is essential, they say, warning that without widespread awareness, cyber fraud cases will continue to grow.
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.
