Cybercrime in India: Over ₹55,000 Crore Lost in Financial Frauds Since 2021, Government Tells Parliament
- bySagar
- 23 Jul, 2026
Cyber Crime News: Cyber fraud continues to rise across India, with scammers targeting people through phishing links, fake investment schemes, OTP scams, digital arrest frauds, and online payment frauds. The Central Government has informed Parliament that financial cyber frauds reported between 2021 and 2025 resulted in losses exceeding ₹55,000 crore, highlighting the growing threat of online crime.
As digital payments and online banking become increasingly common, cybercriminals are using more sophisticated methods to deceive victims. Government data presented in Parliament shows a sharp increase in complaints, while authorities say timely reporting has helped prevent thousands of crores from reaching fraudsters.
Over 65 Lakh Cyber Fraud Complaints in Five Years
According to information shared by the Central Government in the Lok Sabha:
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More than 65.89 lakh financial cyber fraud complaints were reported between 2021 and 2025.
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Victims reported financial losses exceeding ₹55,050 crore.
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The complaints were registered through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS).
The figures underline the rapid rise in cyber-enabled financial crimes as digital transactions continue to grow across the country.
Government Says ₹11,158 Crore Was Prevented From Reaching Fraudsters
The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS), launched under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) in 2021, has played a significant role in preventing financial losses.
As of June 30, 2026, the system has:
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Helped prevent over ₹11,158 crore from reaching cybercriminals.
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Assisted in handling more than 32.80 lakh complaints.
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Enabled authorities and banks to quickly block suspicious financial transactions after complaints are lodged.
Report Cyber Fraud Immediately Through 1930
The government has urged citizens to report financial cyber fraud as soon as possible through:
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Cyber Helpline: 1930
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National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
Officials say immediate reporting significantly improves the chances of recovering stolen money because banks can freeze suspicious transactions before the funds are withdrawn or transferred further.
Over ₹8,189 Crore Frozen During Investigations
Government data also revealed that investigative agencies placed a lien on more than ₹8,189 crore linked to cyber fraud complaints between 2021 and 2025.
In addition:
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The frozen funds prevented fraudsters from moving stolen money.
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More than 1.95 lakh FIRs related to financial cyber fraud were registered across the country during the same period.
Cybercrime Cases Cross One Lakh for the First Time
According to the NCRB's Crime in India 2024 report:
| Year | Cybercrime Cases |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,01,928 |
| 2023 | 86,420 |
| 2020 | 50,035 |
The report shows:
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Cybercrime cases increased by around 18% between 2023 and 2024.
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Reported cases have more than doubled since 2020.
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2024 became the first year in which India recorded over one lakh cybercrime cases.
Common Types of Cyber Frauds
Authorities say the most common scams currently include:
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Fake investment schemes
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Phishing emails and links
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OTP and banking verification frauds
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Digital arrest scams
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UPI and online payment frauds
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Impersonation through social media and messaging apps
How to Protect Yourself
Cybersecurity experts recommend the following precautions:
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Never share OTPs, PINs, or banking passwords.
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Verify investment offers before transferring money.
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Avoid clicking on suspicious links received through SMS, email, or messaging apps.
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Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
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Report suspected fraud immediately by calling 1930 or filing a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
With cyber frauds becoming more sophisticated every year, prompt reporting and greater public awareness remain the most effective tools for limiting financial losses and helping authorities track down cybercriminals.






