Residents of Karnataka fell victim to a staggering ₹109.01 crore loss through digital arrest scams in 2024, Home Minister G Parameshwara revealed on December 12 during a Karnataka Legislative Council session. These scams involve fraudsters impersonating government officials, judges, or regulatory bodies like RBI and TRAI to intimidate victims into paying money.
Despite the arrest of 27 individuals linked to these operations, none involved in Bengaluru’s 480 cases—the highest in the state—have been apprehended. Mysuru reported 24 cases, and Mangaluru logged 21. Investigations also led to the shutdown of 809 scam-related platforms, including 268 Facebook groups, 465 Telegram channels, and 61 WhatsApp groups.
Alarmingly, police have recovered only ₹9.45 crore, representing less than 10% of the total losses. These crimes often leverage fear tactics, such as fake court proceedings, threats of imprisonment, and fabricated surveillance claims, to coerce victims into compliance.
The prevalence of such scams underscores the urgent need for enhanced public awareness and stricter enforcement of cybercrime laws. In one case, a Mysuru youth was tricked into taking a ₹4.7 lakh loan, only to face mental harassment over EMI payments for a loan he was unaware of.
As Karnataka continues its fight against cybercrime, officials and citizens alike must remain vigilant to curb this growing menace.
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