In Karnataka, cybercrimes reached alarming levels in 2023, with citizens losing a staggering Rs 465 crore to various fraudulent activities, averaging to Rs 1.27 crore per day, according to data from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Investigators anticipate a significant increase in cybercrimes in the current year as fraudsters continuously evolve their tactics and adopt new methods to deceive individuals. The total financial loss to cybercrimes saw a dramatic 151% year-on-year increase and a staggering 450% rise compared to 2021.
The data reveals that cybercrooks pocketed Rs 185 crore in 2022 and Rs 84 crore in 2021. Last year, Karnataka reported a total of 21,868 cybercrime cases, with Bengaluru alone accounting for 17,623 of them.
The most prevalent cybercrimes included phishing, FedEx scams, investment frauds, task completion frauds, and Aadhaar-enabled payment scams, as highlighted by MA Saleem, Director General of Police, CID, Special Units and Economic Offences.
While Bengaluru recorded the majority of cybercrimes, law enforcement officers believe that the actual extent of cybercriminal activity in smaller towns and villages across the state is under-reported, as many victims hesitate to file complaints. Awareness programs are being conducted to educate people about various cybercrimes and the importance of reporting them.
Emerging trends indicate the increasing use of Malware as a Service (MaaS) by cybercriminals, along with the proliferation of fake websites used to siphon money from unsuspecting victims. Additionally, rural areas have become hotspots for creating mule accounts, highlighting a concerning trend in cybercrime activities.
