Dipak Kurmi
Between January and April 2024, Indian citizens faced a harrowing wave of cybercrime, losing over ₹1,750 crore to various online scams. This alarming statistic, derived from over 740,000 complaints lodged on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, underscores a staggering rise in online fraud. The scale of this issue is immense, with approximately 7,000 complaints registered daily—a remarkable 113.7% increase compared to the period between 2021 and 2023. Astonishingly, this means Indians now lose an average of ₹1.5 lakh every minute to faceless cybercriminals, signaling an urgent need for robust intervention and systemic reforms.
A recent study spearheaded by an IIT Kanpur-backed startup sheds light on the geographical concentration of cybercrime in India. Ten districts have emerged as hotspots for these activities, with Bharatpur, known more for its bird sanctuary, now leading as a hub of cybercrime, contributing 18% of such incidents. Mathura follows at 12%, while Nuh accounts for 11%. Other locations like Deoghar and Jamtara in Jharkhand are notorious for being epicenters of organized cybercrime, driven by a combination of low digital literacy and the absence of specialized cybercrime enforcement units.
Interestingly, these cybercrime hotspots exhibit regional specializations in fraudulent schemes. Rajasthan has become infamous for sextortion, OLX fraud, and fake customer care scams. In contrast, Jharkhand dominates in loan app harassment, matrimonial fraud, and investment scams. Meanwhile, Bihar has carved out a niche in credit and debit card fraud. States like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, and Karnataka are also witnessing a marked rise in diverse digital scams. The lack of stringent law enforcement in rural areas and the misuse of advancing technology allow these cybercriminals to operate with alarming impunity.
While financial frauds form the bulk of cybercrimes, the rise of online sextortion scams is particularly concerning. These crimes often go unreported due to social stigma, leaving victims vulnerable to prolonged exploitation. In extreme cases, this leads to tragedies such as suicide. The emotional and social toll of such incidents is devastating, cutting across all age groups. For instance, in Kolkata, a 15-year-old girl ended her life after a morphed image of her surfaced online. Similarly, a teenager in Ahmedabad resorted to theft and later suicide after extortionists drained his father’s savings. Adults, too, are not immune; a 55-year-old man in Pune and a Santacruz-based cook succumbed to similar pressures, highlighting the pervasive nature of these crimes.
The financial magnitude of these scams is equally staggering. In Nagpur, a pharmacist lost ₹60 lakh in a forex scam over three months. Such incidents underline the pressing need for stronger safeguards against cybercrime. Cybersecurity experts have also raised concerns about insiders within banks and telecom companies leaking sensitive customer data to scammers. Employees in outsourcing firms and associated vendors are frequently implicated, perpetuating the cycle of exploitation and fueling the epidemic of cybercrime.
The west offers valuable lessons for combating this menace. Governments in many countries enforce stringent regulations, holding platforms like Meta accountable for curbing cybercrime. For instance, in Nigeria, Facebook and Instagram proactively removed over 63,000 accounts linked to sextortion scams. Such decisive measures are conspicuously lacking in India, where convictions for cybercrimes remain rare. The absence of accountability among social media platforms and digital infrastructure providers exacerbates the problem, creating an enabling environment for criminals.
India must adopt a multi-pronged strategy to address this growing crisis. Firstly, the government must prioritize identifying and neutralizing cybercrime hotspots through targeted enforcement measures. Strengthening the presence of specialized cybercrime units in rural and vulnerable areas is crucial. Platforms like Meta and other tech giants must also take responsibility for their role in hosting and enabling criminal activities. Measures such as hiding followers and following lists of teenagers—often used by sextortionists to identify victims—should become mandatory.
Public awareness is equally critical. Citizens must be educated about digital safety, including the importance of safeguarding personal information and avoiding behaviors that project a flashy lifestyle online. Encouraging safer online habits can serve as a first line of defense against scammers. Social media platforms must also recognize the gravity of sextortion and other cyber frauds as major financial crimes, not merely as violations of terms of service.
The stakes are simply too high to ignore. The harrowing stories of victims underline the urgent need for decisive action. One victim’s account of downloading a fraudulent app and subsequently enduring relentless extortion threats highlights the vulnerability of individuals in the face of sophisticated scams. The victim’s morphed images were sent to their contacts, causing immense distress. Only with the guidance of a lawyer and timely reporting to the cybercrime cell was the situation mitigated. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prompt action and the need to strengthen support systems for victims.
India must emulate successful international models, such as the mounting lawsuits against tech companies in the west that have driven significant reforms. Holding platforms accountable for enabling criminal activity is essential. Simultaneously, the government must enforce stricter laws, enhance public awareness, and ensure that law enforcement agencies are well-equipped to combat the ever-evolving tactics of cybercriminals.
As the digital landscape becomes increasingly integral to everyday life, the threat of cybercrime looms larger than ever. Lives, livelihoods, and the nation’s economic health depend on a united and proactive response. Failure to act decisively now could lead to even graver consequences in the future.
(the writer can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)
