Investment fraud has emerged as the leading cyber crime in Mangaluru, contributing to half of the 134 cases reported in 2024. According to a report cited by The Hindu, these scams resulted in losses totaling Rs 30.36 crore—approximately 75% of the financial damage from cyber crimes this year.

Frauds linked to customs, courier deliveries, and digital impersonation followed, with 25 cases causing losses of Rs 7.07 crore. Other notable categories included part-time job scams (Rs 1.21 crore), matrimonial fraud (Rs 60.46 lakh), and share market fraud (Rs 41.96 lakh). Smaller losses were reported in online shopping fraud (Rs 5.93 lakh) and KYC scams (Rs 8.35 lakh).

Mangaluru witnessed its largest cyber crime financial impact in 2024, with total losses of Rs 40.46 crore. However, police efforts led to Rs 9.32 crore being frozen in fraudulent accounts, and Rs 2.55 crore was reimbursed to victims.

Of the 5,498 complaints filed via the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, only 215 progressed to FIRs, with 4,907 closed after review. A total of 42 arrests were made, involving suspects from across India. Significant cases included the arrest of two individuals from Andhra Pradesh for a Rs 10.84 lakh investment fraud and four from Tamil Nadu linked to a Rs 6.07 lakh job offer scam.

Efforts to combat these crimes are ongoing, with law enforcement urging the public to stay vigilant.