Himachal Pradesh Witnesses 52% Rise in Cybercrime Cases with 18,706 Complaints in 2025
Himachal Pradesh Sees Alarming Rise in Cybercrime Complaints, with 18,706 Cases Reported in 2025
A significant surge in cybercrime complaints has been reported in Himachal Pradesh, with a 52% increase from 12,249 cases in 2024 to 18,706 in 2025. This trend is part of a broader national pattern, where cybercrime has evolved into a sophisticated, technology-driven ecosystem.
Cybercrime Categories and Trends
The complaints filed in 2025 span a wide range of categories, including phishing emails generated using artificial intelligence, fake investment portals promising unusually high returns, job and work-from-home scams, messaging app frauds, UPI and QR code fraud, OTP theft, account takeovers, and social media impersonation.
According to Narvir Singh Rathour, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SC&ACB), cybercrime is no longer limited to isolated hackers. Instead, it has become a highly organized global industry, with experts referring to it as “Crime-as-a-Service.” This model involves criminals renting tools, purchasing stolen data, and running structured fraud operations, often across borders.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Fraud
The misuse of artificial intelligence has added a new dimension to cyber fraud, enabling perpetrators to generate fake voices, clone faces, and craft convincing messages that appear authentic. This makes scams more sophisticated and harder to detect, as victims often trust what they see or hear without realizing the interaction is entirely fabricated.
Countering the Threat
Most of these crimes rely on exploiting human psychology, rather than breaking technological systems. This tactic, known as social engineering, is used to manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information or performing certain actions.
To counter the rising threat, Himachal Police has strengthened its cybercrime response framework. Dedicated Cyber Crime Police Stations and specialized cyber cells have been established across districts. The state has also integrated its systems with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to streamline information sharing and response mechanisms.
Awareness and Prevention
Authorities are actively promoting the 1930 cyber fraud helpline, which enables victims to report incidents quickly and increase the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions. Regular awareness campaigns are being conducted in schools, colleges, and rural areas to sensitize citizens about emerging fraud patterns.
Police personnel are undergoing specialized training in digital forensics and financial investigation, while coordination with banks has been enhanced to block suspicious transactions at the earliest stage.
Citizens are advised to remain vigilant and adopt basic cyber hygiene practices, such as never sharing OTPs, PINs, or passwords, and verifying links before clicking. They should also be cautious when responding to urgent payment requests without confirmation. Enabling two-factor authentication, keeping software updated, and using strong, unique passwords for different platforms are among the key precautions.
Conclusion
As cybercriminals continue to evolve their tactics, authorities stress that public awareness remains the strongest line of defense. The steep rise in complaints serves as a reminder that as digital adoption grows, so does the need for robust cybersecurity practices and coordinated enforcement efforts.
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