Bengaluru has recorded a major decline in cybercrime cases for the first time in two years, marking what police officials believe could be the beginning of a long term improvement. Data reviewed by a common publication shows that cybercrime cases fell to 8,927 in the first ten months of this year, down from 15,084 in the same period in 2024. This represents a fall of 41 per cent. When compared with the same period in 2023, when 14,324 cases were reported, the drop stands at 38 per cent.
Senior police officers attribute this decline to stronger enforcement and rising public awareness. However, some officials believe that the number of FIRs being registered has reduced. Karnataka continues to record the highest number of cybercrime cases in the country, with Bengaluru reporting more cases than any other city.
Residents of the city lost an estimated Rs 1,261 crore to online frauds in the first eight months of this year. A senior officer explained that cybercriminals have changed their approach. Most cases now involve investment frauds, online part time job scams and digital arrest incidents. The officer said that earlier, losses were spread across many cases but now each case involves large amounts. He added that both the Union and state governments intensified awareness campaigns and enforcement measures last year.
The officer highlighted several steps taken by the Department of Telecommunications. These include the use of artificial intelligence to block fraudulent, international, spam and spoofed calls, along with stricter KYC norms. Large scale blocking of fraudulent SIM cards is also underway. Banks are flagging suspicious transactions more actively. The Ministry of Home Affairs is conducting regular follow ups, and the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau have issued updated standard operating procedures.
Another cybercrime officer said that investigation capabilities within Bengaluru police have improved, especially in arresting suspects and identifying mule account networks used for laundering funds. Interstate police coordination has also become stronger, both when Bengaluru teams travel to other states and when teams from other states visit Bengaluru. Social media and messaging platforms are responding more quickly to investigation requests.
However, some officers believe that the fall in cases may also be linked to fewer FIRs being registered. One senior officer stated that investigators often skip cases involving small financial losses. He added that limited resources and a lack of strong direction from senior leadership have affected the registration of FIRs. According to him, cases involving a loss of only a few thousands or lakhs are either not registered or face delayed investigation.
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