The looming threat: 17,623 cyber crime cases in 2023 but breakthrough made in only 1500

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: Cyber crimes are proving to be a tough nut to crack for the Bengaluru city police.

According to data released by the cops, of the 17,623 cyber crime cases registered in 2023, reliable clues have been obtained in only around 1,500 cases so far.

As many as 13,685 cases are still under investigation, highlighting the enormity of the caseload and the fact that investigations are still trying to catch up, said police sources.

Bengaluru also has the unenviable record of topping the list in cyber crime cases registered across all metro cities in India in 2023, an ignominy it has suffered for several years now.

The latest report from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) reveals a staggering 151 per cent increase in cybercrimes in Karnataka in 2023 compared to 2022.

According to the data, people in the state lost a whopping Rs 465 crore as per 21,868 cases registered.

The CID officials and law enforcement a g encies say there are new hotspots emerging, proving to be a major challenge for investigating authorities.

Fraudsters are also adopting new ways to cheat gullible people.

“These emerging cybercrime hotspots represent regions where various forms of digital criminal activity are on the rise, often catching both law enforcement agencies and the public off guard,” the report added.

A police officer who is part of one of the four Special Investigation Teams (SIT) formed to investigate specific types of cybercrimes said, "Nowadays, we are getting accused from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Bihar and Jharkhand".

The most common cybercrimes noticed recently are FedEx related scams, phishing, fake online jobs and chain investment frauds, MA Saleem, Director General of Police, CID, Special Units and Economic Offences, said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru East, Kuldeep Kumar Jain, acknoledged that the cybercrime hubs that were previously operating from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi and Jharkhand are coming up in Bengaluru as well.

Bengaluru Commissioner B Dayananda said, "Cybercrime cases are the biggest challenge the city police are facing. Our decision to register cyber cases in law and order police stations besides CEN police stations, keeping in mind the convenience of people, has led to more cybercrimes being registered," he said.

However, non-cooperation of service providers, banks, and global tech platforms to provide information have emerged as the biggest hurdle for investigators, sources said.