Cybercrime has caused heavy financial damage in Goa, with residents losing more than ₹74 crore to online fraud between 2023 and 2025. The figures highlight the fast growth and rising sophistication of digital crimes in the state.
Data shared in a written reply to a starred question in the Legislative Assembly show a sharp year-on-year increase in losses. In 2023, reported cyber fraud losses stood at ₹3.60 crore. This jumped significantly to ₹29.73 crore in 2024 and rose further to ₹40.79 crore in 2025 up to December 31. Together, the losses over the 3-year period total ₹74.12 crore.
The data also reveal a worrying rise in cybercrime cases involving senior citizens. In 2023, elderly victims made up 6.17% of reported cases. This share increased to 14.11% in 2024 before easing slightly to 12.21% in 2025. Officials said fraudsters are increasingly targeting older people by taking advantage of lower digital awareness and higher levels of trust.
Authorities linked the surge in cybercrime to rapid digitalisation and limited public awareness about online risks. Wider use of online banking, digital payments, and social media has expanded opportunities for criminals. Misuse of personal data has led to identity theft and financial fraud, while scams offering “quick and easy money,” fake investment schemes, and social engineering tactics remain common.
Social media has also played a role, with oversharing of personal details making users vulnerable to targeted fraud. In several cases, victims were tricked into sharing one-time passwords, banking details, or approving transactions under false claims, leading to major losses.
To address the issue, citizens have been urged to report cyber fraud through the national cybercrime reporting portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the 1930 national helpline, which can help enable quick action and possible recovery of funds. The Sanchar Saathi portal is also being used to tackle telecom-related fraud and misuse of mobile connections.
At the state level, police regularly issue cyber fraud alerts through official websites and social media. Awareness programmes for students, professionals, and senior citizens are being conducted. Law enforcement teams have received specialised training and digital forensic tools, while coordination with banks has been strengthened to freeze suspicious transactions faster.
Officials noted that cybercrime data are not maintained taluka-wise, though police station–level data are available. The rising losses underline the urgent need for stronger awareness and enforcement as digital usage continues to grow.
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