India Records Over Rs 52,000 Crore Worth of Cyber Frauds in Five Years

Post Views: 4

Cyber Fraud in India: A Growing Concern

The Indian government has recently launched a nationwide crackdown on cyber fraud, revealing a shocking figure of over $7.3 billion in losses over the past five years.

Government Efforts to Combat Cybercrime

The Department of Telecommunications has taken significant steps to combat financial crimes, disconnecting millions of suspicious mobile numbers and freezing hundreds of thousands of bank accounts.
The department has received approximately 6 million cyber fraud complaints during this period, resulting in over 30,000 resolved cases and six major cyber fraud operations dismantled.

According to official data, “the Department of Telecommunications has taken significant steps to combat financial crimes, disconnecting millions of suspicious mobile numbers and freezing hundreds of thousands of bank accounts.”

New Regulations to Enhance Digital Safety

The Telecommunications Right of Way Rules, 2024, have streamlined telecom infrastructure deployment through a centralized portal for mobile towers and optical fiber installations.
The Biometric Identity Verification System Draft Rules, 2025, require biometric verification for telecom users to prevent unauthorized access.

Ashish Pathak, Additional Director General (Telecom) at the Mumbai LSA, emphasized the importance of telecommunications in modern life and highlighted the need to curb cybercrime and strengthen digital safety.

Citizen Engagement and Support

Citizens are encouraged to report instances of financial fraud promptly through the national cybercrime helpline number 1930, ideally within 24 hours of the incident.
A mobile application called Sanchar Saathi has been introduced, allowing users to block lost or stolen mobile phones, report telecom-related fraud, and track suspicious activity.

Through this initiative, nearly 10 million handsets valued at over $157 million have been blocked or traced, while more than 10 million handsets worth over $157 million have been recovered. Additionally, 34 million suspicious mobile numbers have been disconnected, 2.27 million handsets linked to IMEI have been blocked, and over 16.97 million accounts associated with cyber fraud have been deactivated.