A sharp rise in online fraud has made cybercrime the most rapidly growing offence category in Bihar’s capital, leaving Patna police struggling to keep pace with complaints.
Official records show that Patna is now registering almost 3 times more cybercrime cases than conventional criminal cases. Data from the city’s cyber police station indicates that an average of 7 cybercrime cases are reported every day. From January to December 2025, a total of 2,472 cases were registered, involving losses ranging from Rs. 10,000 to more than Rs. 2 crore. Many additional complaints were also filed at local police stations, pushing the actual number even higher.
The most common frauds include fake online trading platforms, work from home investment scams, sextortion, “digital arrest” threats where fraudsters pose as law enforcement officials, and phishing messages linked to electricity bills or credit card verification.
In comparison, conventional police stations in Patna usually record between 800 and 1,000 cases in a year. The cyber police station, however, has consistently crossed the 2,500 mark annually. In 2024, it registered 2,582 cases, while 737 cases were recorded in 2023, the year the cyber police unit became operational.
Police officials estimate that nearly 60% of cybercrime cases involve organised financial fraud. These scams often operate across several states. Calls are frequently traced to Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana, or Rajasthan, while SIM cards are sourced from West Bengal. Bank accounts used for fraud are opened in districts across Bihar, including Patna, Bettiah, Madhubani, and Sitamarhi.
This multi state structure makes investigations complex. Authorities say arrests usually involve account holders or low level operatives, while the main organisers remain difficult to trace.
The Patna cyber police station was set up on June 9, 2023. It currently has 1 deputy superintendent of police, 15 inspectors, and 8 sub inspectors. Officials admit this strength is not enough. Each investigating officer is handling more than 200 cases, slowing investigations significantly.
To ease the burden, former senior superintendent of police Awakash Kumar had instructed local police stations to also register cybercrime cases. While arrests have been made in gaming app fraud and fake medical treatment cases, officials say cyber offences continue to rise.
Police continue to run awareness campaigns, but warn that advanced scam techniques and limited public understanding of digital risks are keeping citizens vulnerable.
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