Gujarat sees over 1 lakh cases of cyber crime last year, teams formed in seven states

In a bid to curb cyber crimes, coordination teams have been formed in Gujarat and six other states. In 2024, Gujarat registered over 1,25,000 cybercrime complaints, contributing to a nationwide total of 11.21 lakh.

It is believed that an equal or even higher number of incidents go unreported. Given these circumstances, resolving jurisdictional conflicts and taking legal action against cybercrime has become imperative. Therefore, coordination between cybercrime hotspot regions in different states has been strengthened.

15% of cyber frauds involve romance scams

In 2024, India recorded over 11.21 lakh cybercrime cases. Uttar Pradesh topped the list with approximately 2,00,000 cases, followed by Maharashtra with over 1,25,000, and Gujarat with 1,21,000 reported crimes. Citizens across the country have been defrauded of approximately ₹400 lakh crore through cyber scams. Of this, 30% of the losses occurred through ‘digital arrests’. 

Investment frauds promising high returns accounted for 20% of the scams, phishing schemes another 20%, and romance-based scams affected 15% of the victims. The central government has initiated action in response to the growing threat, details of which were presented in Parliament. Nationwide, 7,81,000 SIM cards used in cybercrimes were blocked, along with 84,000 WhatsApp accounts, 2,00,000 IMEI numbers, and 4,000 Skype IDs.

Formation of Joint Cyber Coordination teams

To combat cybercrime, seven joint cyber coordination teams have been established. These teams operate in Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Mewat, Jamtara, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Visakhapatnam, and Guwahati. These areas are considered cybercrime hotspots. The teams work to resolve multi-jurisdictional legal conflicts and strengthen inter-state cooperation.

In Gujarat, cybercrime gangs from regions like Mewat, Jamtara, and Rajasthan engage in e-frauds. The coordination teams work closely with the central government and other states to apprehend cybercriminals and prevent such crimes. Additionally, over 1,00,000 police officers across India, including Gujarat, have received training in cybercrime investigation, forensics, and prosecution.

International reach of cybercrime

Notably, during organised efforts to combat cybercrime in Gujarat and across the country, funds obtained through fraud are often sent abroad using rented local bank accounts. The cybercrime network has spread internationally. Worldwide, cyber fraud is estimated to cause losses of ₹514 lakh crore annually. These funds are laundered through illegal channels. In India, a coordinated effort is underway to crack down on financial fraud networks.