According to a report, in the first four months of 2024, Indians have lost more than Rs 7061 crore in various types of cyber crimes.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Cyber crime cases are increasing rapidly in the country. You will be surprised to know that about 7,000 cyber-related complaints are registered daily on India’s National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). In the first four months of 2024 alone, Indians have lost more than Rs 7061 crore in various cyber crimes.

2. Rise of Cyber Crime in India

Cyber crime is becoming a significant issue in India. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordinator Center (I4C) shows that many of these frauds come from Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.

3. Key Statistics

The numbers are alarming:

• 2024 (till April 30): 740,000 complaints
• 2023: 1.56 million complaints
• 2022: 966,000 complaints
• 2021: 452,000 complaints
• 2020: 257,000 complaints
• 2019: 26,049 complaints

4. Countries Involved

I4C CEO Rajesh Kumar mentioned that many web applications used in these crimes are written in Mandarin, suggesting a possible link to China. Interestingly, China also faces similar scams.

5. Techniques Used by Fraudsters

Fraudsters use various techniques to trap people:

• Call spoofing
• Pretending to be government officials
• Lucrative job offers
• Promises of earning lots of money by working a few hours online

6. Types of Scams

These scams were most common in the last four months:

• Digital Arrest Scam: Rs 120.30 crore
• Online Trading Scam: Rs 1,420.48 crore
• Investment Scam (task-based): Rs 222.58 crore
• Romance/Dating Scam: Rs 13.23 crore

7. Actions Taken by Authorities

Authorities have taken significant steps to combat cyber crime:

• Frozen 3,25,000 fake accounts
• Blocked over 3,000 URLs and 595 apps under Section 69A of the IT Act
• Suspended or cancelled 5,30,000 SIM cards and 80,848 IMEI numbers since July 2023

8. How to Protect Yourself

Here are some tips to stay safe:

• Be cautious of unknown messages: Do not trust messages from unknown sources promising high returns or easy money.
• Verify job offers: Be skeptical of unsolicited job offers, especially if they seem too good to be true.
• Keep personal details private: Do not share login credentials or personal details with strangers.
• Avoid downloading unknown links: Do not download links or files from unknown numbers.
• Verify toll-free numbers: Use official websites to find contact information instead of searching on Google.
• Report cyber frauds immediately: Report any incidents to the Cyber Crime Portal (https://www.cybercrime.gov.in) or call 1930.

9. The Role of Social Media

Cyber criminals use social media to recruit Indians with fake job offers. Once recruited, individuals are forced to participate in scams like investment scams, trading app scams, and dating scams. Criminals use Indian SIM cards to target Indians.

10. Importance of Cyber Awareness

Cyber awareness is crucial in today’s digital age. Knowing how to identify and avoid scams can save you from losing your hard-earned money.

11. Conclusion

Cyber crime is a growing problem in India, with fraudsters exploiting technology to defraud people. Staying informed and cautious can help you avoid falling victim to these scams. Authorities are working hard to combat cyber crime, but individual awareness and action are also vital.

12. FAQs

Q1: How much money has been lost to cyber crimes in India in 2024?
In the first four months of 2024, Indians have lost more than Rs 7061 crore to cyber crimes.

Q2: What are some common types of cyber scams?
Common types of scams include digital arrest scams, online trading scams, investment scams, and romance/dating scams.

Q3: How do fraudsters usually trap people?
Fraudsters use methods like call spoofing, pretending to be officials, offering fake job opportunities, and promising easy money for a few hours of online work.

Q4: What steps have authorities taken to combat cyber crime?
Authorities have frozen fake accounts, blocked malicious URLs and apps, and suspended numerous SIM cards and IMEI numbers.

Q5: How can I protect myself from cyber scams?
Be cautious of unknown messages, verify job offers, keep personal details private, avoid downloading unknown links, verify toll-free numbers through official websites, and report any cyber fraud immediately.