Visakhapatnam Hit by ₹12 Crore Cyber Frauds in January: Digital Arrest and Fake Investment Scams
Cybercrime Costs Visakhapatnam Residents ₹12 Crore in January
A surge in digital financial fraud has hit Visakhapatnam, with cybercriminals siphoning off over ₹12 crore from residents in January 2026 alone. According to data from the city’s cybercrime police station, more than 100 complaints were filed during the month, resulting in the registration of 22 First Information Reports (FIRs).
Digital Arrest Scams and Fake Online Investment Schemes
Digital arrest scams and fake online investment schemes were the primary drivers of reported losses. Five FIRs related to digital arrest frauds were filed, with victims collectively losing around ₹3.4 crore. Another six FIRs pertained to bogus investment schemes, resulting in losses of nearly ₹6.2 crore.
In one notable case, a 76-year-old resident was allegedly cheated of nearly ₹90 lakh by cybercriminals posing as Supreme Court officials. The scammers used a video call to intimidate the victim, claiming a legal petition had been filed against him. Elderly citizens are often found to be more vulnerable to such tactics due to limited digital literacy, trusting nature, and lack of immediate support.
Fake Investment Scams
Fake investment scams, which rely heavily on social media and messaging platforms, have also been on the rise. Victims are lured with promises of unusually high returns and directed to fraudulent trading applications or portals. Police emphasized that prompt reporting is critical in such cases, as the chances of freezing the money trail increase significantly within the first hour of reporting.
Demographics of Cyberfraud Victims
According to officials, nearly 60% of cyberfraud victims in the city are young professionals and private-sector employees, with average losses ranging from ₹30–40 lakh per day. Investigators claim that over 70% of organized cyberfraud operations targeting Indian victims are being run from Southeast Asian countries, particularly Cambodia.
The cyber cell has urged citizens to verify any suspicious calls, links, investment proposals, or arrest threats before acting on them. Authorities have also cautioned against sharing One-Time Passwords (OTPs), bank credentials, or personal details with unknown callers. Delay in reporting remains the biggest obstacle in cybercrime response, and officials stressed that the sooner a complaint is lodged, the higher the likelihood of recovering stolen funds.
Combating Cybercrime
As digital transactions continue to rise, cybercrime has emerged as a serious urban challenge. Law enforcement agencies plan to intensify awareness drives and take stricter action against mule account networks, which are routinely used by organized gangs to launder stolen money. Coordinated enforcement and public vigilance are expected to help curb the growing menace of cyber-enabled financial crimes.
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