Bengaluru: India’s technology capital is witnessing an alarming rise in economic offences, with the city recording one such crime approximately every 2.5 hours over the past three years, according to the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau.

The NCRB report revealed that Bengaluru registered a total of 10,580 economic offences between 2022 and 2024, exposing the growing scale of financial fraud and cyber-enabled cheating in one of the country’s most digitally connected cities.

The offences include cheating, forgery, financial fraud, impersonation scams and other economic crimes, many of which are increasingly being carried out through online platforms and digital banking channels.

Bengaluru among top cities for economic offences

In 2024 alone, Bengaluru recorded 3,477 economic offence cases, placing it among the top metropolitan cities in India for such crimes.

Although the figure marks a slight decline from the 3,858 cases reported in 2023, it remains significantly higher than the 3,245 cases registered in 2022. The numbers indicate that the city continues to report an average of nearly 10 economic offences every day.

According to NCRB statistics, over 93 per cent of the economic offences recorded in Bengaluru in 2024 fell under the categories of cheating, fraud and forgery. Experts say this reflects a broader transformation in urban crime patterns, where traditional theft and physical crimes are increasingly being replaced by sophisticated financial scams and digital fraud.

Bengaluru’s economic offence rate stood at 40.9 cases per lakh population in 2024, highlighting the growing vulnerability associated with rapid digital adoption and online financial transactions.

Rise of digital frauds concerns authorities

Investigators and cybercrime experts believe Bengaluru’s thriving digital ecosystem has become a major target for organised fraud networks.

The city’s strong technology sector, widespread online banking usage and rising investment activity have created opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting victims through fake investment schemes, phishing attacks, cryptocurrency scams and impersonation frauds.

Police officials say many criminal networks operate across multiple states using mule bank accounts, fake digital identities and encrypted communication platforms, making investigations increasingly difficult.

The shift towards online transactions and app-based financial services has also contributed to the rise in fraud-related crimes, especially among working professionals and senior citizens.

Experts warn that fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated, often using artificial intelligence-based tactics, fake customer care numbers and cloned websites to deceive victims.

Pressure mounts on legal system

The rising number of economic offences has also placed significant pressure on Bengaluru’s legal and investigative systems.

As per NCRB data, the city had 13,616 economic offence cases pending trial by the end of 2024. The conviction rate in such cases stood at just 5 per cent, underlining the challenges authorities face in securing convictions in complex financial crime cases.

The charge sheet rate for economic offences in Bengaluru was reported at 49.1 per cent, reflecting delays and procedural difficulties in investigating and prosecuting cases involving digital evidence, cross-border financial transactions and multiple accused individuals.

Legal experts say economic offences are often harder to prosecute because they involve technical financial records, electronic evidence and lengthy money trails that require specialised expertise.

The growing backlog of pending cases has further raised concerns regarding judicial efficiency and the need for stronger cybercrime infrastructure.

Karnataka witnesses broader rise in financial crimes

The NCRB report also highlighted a wider increase in economic offences across Karnataka.

The state recorded 7,814 economic offences in 2024, of which 7,209 cases were categorised under cheating, fraud and forgery-related crimes.

Authorities believe the rise in financial crimes is not limited to Bengaluru alone but reflects a broader national trend affecting urban centres across India.

Several cities have reported increasing cases involving online investment frauds, fake loan applications, identity theft and digital payment scams, particularly targeting individuals with limited awareness of cyber risks.

Need for stronger cyber awareness

Cybersecurity experts stress that public awareness and preventive measures are critical in reducing economic offences.

Officials have urged citizens to verify financial transactions carefully, avoid sharing confidential banking information and remain cautious while responding to unsolicited calls, messages and investment offers online.

Experts also emphasise the need for stronger coordination between banks, law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity teams to quickly detect fraudulent activities and trace criminal networks.

The NCRB findings have once again highlighted the growing challenge posed by financial and cyber-enabled crimes in India’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

As Bengaluru continues to evolve as a major global technology hub, authorities face increasing pressure to strengthen cyber policing, improve conviction rates and build public confidence in digital financial systems.