Despite repeated awareness efforts, online scams continue to affect residents across Coimbatore, with the city and district cybercrime units receiving more than 55 new complaints each day.
Coimbatore cybercrime wing has recorded around 6,000 complaints so far this year, averaging nearly 35 cases daily. The district wing receives about 20 complaints a day. Investment frauds account for the largest share. In 2025, the city wing handled nearly 10,000 complaints, compared with about 9,500 in 2024.
Working professionals are often targeted with promises of unusually high investment returns. Fraudsters also send malicious links through platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram to gain access to victims’ bank accounts.
Police said identifying the actual perpetrators remains difficult in most cases. Their main success is often freezing funds that are still available in accounts linked to the fraud.
In the district, common cases include investment scams, matrimonial fraud, “digital arrest” scams targeting elderly people and rental-house scams. Around 30% of investment fraud cases reportedly follow a “task-based” method.
Scammers first approach victims through social media and offer simple tasks, such as posting business reviews. After making small initial payments, they encourage victims to invest larger amounts, promising daily returns of up to Rs 5,000 or monthly returns above Rs 60,000.
Matrimonial websites are another route. Fraudsters collect details of unmarried men above 35 and pose as potential brides. Using artificial intelligence, they maintain long chats and conduct video calls before gaining trust and pushing victims towards fake trading platforms. In 3 recent district cases, a businessman lost Rs 40 lakh while a salaried employee lost Rs 10 lakh.
Police said many victims report fraud only days or weeks later, by which time scammers have often withdrawn the full amount. Complaints are particularly high from Sulur, Pollachi and Kovilpalayam, areas with many working-class residents who have settled from different places.
Officials advised people to verify investment offers carefully, avoid unsolicited links and report suspicious activity immediately to reduce potential losses.
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