Visakhapatnam Loses ₹12 Crore to Cyber Frauds in January, Digital Arrest and Fake Investment Scams Cause Losses

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Cybercrime Rings Drain Over ₹12 Crore from Visakhapatnam Residents in January

A staggering ₹12 crore was stolen from residents of Visakhapatnam in January 2026, as cybercriminals continued to exploit the city’s growing digital landscape.

Data Analysis Reveals Extent of Cybercrime in Visakhapatnam

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).

In several instances, multiple complaints of a similar nature were consolidated into a single FIR, explaining the disparity between the number of complaints and FIRs.

Main Types of Cybercrime in Visakhapatnam

Digital arrest scams and fake online investment schemes were the primary drivers of financial losses, with five FIRs related to digital arrest frauds resulting in losses of approximately ₹3.4 crore.

Six FIRs pertaining to bogus investment schemes led to losses of nearly ₹6.2 crore.

Additionally, four FIRs were linked to other types of cybercrime.

Senior officials observed that fraudsters typically employ video calls to threaten victims with immediate arrest in digital arrest cases.

Elderly citizens, in particular, are more vulnerable to these tactics due to limited digital literacy, trusting nature, and social isolation.

Fake investment scams, on the other hand, rely heavily on social media and messaging platforms to lure victims with promises of unusually high returns, directing them to fraudulent trading applications or portals.

Importance of Timely Reporting of Cybercrime Incidents

Law enforcement officials emphasized the importance of timing in responding to cybercrime incidents.

If victims report the crime within the first hour, the chances of freezing the money trail increase significantly, improving the prospects of recovery through legal channels.

Victims can seek assistance by calling the national cybercrime helpline 1930 to initiate fund-blocking procedures.

Demographics of Cybercrime Victims in Visakhapatnam

Data analysis revealed that nearly 60% of cybercrime victims in the city are young professionals and private-sector employees, with average daily losses ranging from ₹30-40 lakh.

Investigators believe that over 70% of organized cybercrime operations targeting Indian victims are based in Southeast Asian countries, particularly Cambodia.

Fraudsters often psychologically manipulate victims by posing as enforcement officials and claiming they are under “surveillance”.

Prevention and Awareness

The cyber cell has urged citizens to verify any suspicious calls, links, investment proposals, or arrest threats before taking action.

Authorities also cautioned against sharing one-time passwords (OTPs), bank credentials, or personal details with unknown callers.

Officials stressed that delay is the biggest obstacle in responding to cybercrime incidents, and the sooner a complaint is lodged, the higher the likelihood of recovering stolen funds.

Future Plans to Combat Cybercrime

As digital transactions continue to rise, cybercrime has emerged as a significant urban challenge.

Law enforcement agencies plan to intensify awareness drives and take stricter action against mule account networks, which are frequently used by organized gangs to launder stolen money.

By coordinating enforcement efforts and promoting public vigilance, authorities hope to curb the growing menace of cyber-enabled financial crimes.