Cybercrimes in Hyderabad: Rs 1,866 crores lost in 2024; complaints rise to 1.14 lakhs

Hyderabad: In 2024, Hyderabad lost Rs 1,866.9 crores through cybercrimes and the number of related complaints registered was 1,14,174.

According to the 2024 Annual Report by the Cyber Security Bureau, the most common cyber frauds reported in 2024 included business investment/stock frauds, part-time jobs, digital arrests, fake customer care and debit and credit card frauds.

Cyberabad reported maximum number of complaints

The highest complaints related to cybercrime were from Cyberabad followed by Hyderabad and Rachakonda. The most victimised section were private employees (56%), followed by self-employed (10%).

During the year, 24,643 cases pertaining to different cybercrimes were registered. A total of 1,057 cyber criminals—involved in 19,653 cases in Telangana and 1,16,421 cases across the country—were arrested by the police.

The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP with the toll-free number 1930) facility from Telangana State during this year received 1,14,174 complaints against the 91,652 complaints from the previous year.

Which districts were most affected by cybercrime?

1. Hyderabad: 20,299 cases

2. Rachakonda: 14,815 cases

3. Cyberabad: 25,112 cases

4. Warangal: 3,531 cases

5. Sangareddy: 3,132 cases.

Amount recovered and refunded

The teams proactively intercepted Rs 244.56 crores in fraudulent transactions and Rs 176.71 crores has been refunded to 17,411 victims through Lok Adalat and judicial processes.

According to Shikha Goel, Director of Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, “Cybercrime is up by 18 per cent compared to last year. It is because of the adept usage of the internet by the people and new modus operandi adopted by the fraudsters to cheat people.”

Key objectives of cyber cells include:

- Proactive identification and detection of cybercrimes in their respective zones.

- Enhanced collaboration with internal and external stakeholders

- Advanced training and capacity-building for cyberwarriors

- Effective response to all the cybercrime petitions in the zone for quick redressal for the public.

- The establishment of these cyber units will significantly bolster efforts to combat cybercrime and protect citizens from the growing threat of cyber-related offences.

Milestones:

1. Exhibiting zero-tolerance against cyber criminals by TGCSB

2. A total of 186 cyber criminals were arrested.

3. These arrested individuals are connected to 823 cases in Telangana and 3,637 cases across the country.

First interstate operation in Rajasthan:

- The police arrested 27 offenders in Rajasthan connected to 189 Telangana cases and over 2,000 cases nationwide.