Growing cybercrimes and its prevention!

By M.Y.Siddiqui

Cybercrime is a criminal activity that involves a computer,
networked device or a network. Cybercrime destroys the system and
generates profit for the cybercriminals. Some of the cybercrimes
involve direct damage to the computers or devices and even disable
them. Either spreading the malware, illegal information, images or
any other irrelevant materials do such damage to the computers or
the networks. The cybercriminals infect the computing devices with
virus, which can even spread to other devices or to entire networks.
In India, financial losses from cybercrimes reached a
staggering Rs.22, 845.73 crore in 2024, a 206 percent increase from
the previous year’s Rs.7, 465.18 crore, with over 36 lakh fraud
incidents reported. These figures come from the National Cyber
Crime Portal (NCRP) and Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting
and Management System (CFCFRMS) operated by the Indian Cyber
Crime Coordination Centre (14C). The increase highlights a rapid
surge in digital financial frauds and cybercrime in the country.
The number of cybercrimes reported has been steadily
increasing. In 2022, 65,893 cybercrime cases were registered. This
marked a 24.4 percent increase compared to the 52,974 cases
reported in 2021, according to the National Cyber Crime Reporting
Portal (NCRP), with 15.6 lakh complaints in 2023, a 61 percent
increase from 9.66 lakh in 2022. In 2024, the NCRP recorded 7,000
cybercrimes per day, with Delhi reporting the highest such crimes
daily. The country is witnessing a cyber security crisis of
unprecedented scale. The 14C predicts cyber frauds losses could
exceed Rs.1.2 lakh crore in the coming year, amounting to 0.7 percent
of the nation’s GDP. No wonder, India ranks 10 th in the world
Cybercrime Records.

The data is based on reported incidents on the
government’s National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and the Citizen
Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System. The
government’s initiatives like the 14C and the CFCFRMS have been
instrumental in collecting this. The increasing financial impact of
cyber fraud is driven by a rise in sophisticated attacks like

investment and advance-fee scams. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and
digital transformation are being leveraged to create more advanced
cybercrimes, posing a growing threat to India’s digital future.

A multi-pronged approach involving the Indian Cybercrime
Coordination Centre (14C), which enhances national capability and
coordination among law enforcement agencies; the National Cyber
Crime Reporting Portal to facilitate online reporting and provide
safety tips; capacity building initiatives like the Cyber Crime
Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) Scheme to set up
cyber forensic labs and train personnel, and the Indian Computer
Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), which issues alerts and
advisories on current threats.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) operates the
National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and the Citizen
Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System
(CFCFRMS) to track and manage the cybercrimes. The government is
working to combat the cyber threats by promoting measures, using
strong unique passwords, implementing two-factor authentication,
upgrading bank systems to detect suspicious activity. The Central
Government provides financial assistance to states and union
territories for setting up cyber forensic labs, training personnel for
developing a curriculum for handling cybercrimes against women
and children.

As for the personal prevention measures, users of
computing devices are enjoined to practice strong cyber hygiene like
unique/strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication
where possible. The users are required to be cautious with links and
attachments. They should never click on suspicious links or open
attachments from unknown sources in emails, messages or social
media. The users should also install anti-virus software and Internet
security suites on their devices to protect cyber attacks or threats.
The users are also required to be mindful of personal information to
avoid the latest cyber threats and share safety tips with family and
friends, especially children. They should secure webcams by covering
them when not in use.

Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In),
tasked with issuing alerts and advisories on latest cyber threats,

vulnerabilities and counter measures to protect computing devices
and networks on regular basis, has so far issued 70 advisories for
user organisations and users in general to create awareness on safe
usage of digital technologies for proactive threat mitigation actions
by them. The CERT-In has empanelled 97 security-auditing
organisations to support and audit implementation of Information
Security Best Practices. CERT-In has set up the National Cyber
Coordination Centre (NCCC) to generate necessary situational
awareness of existing and potential cyber security threats. Phase-1 of
NCCC is operational.

CERT-In Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) and Centre
for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) are conducting a
self-paced 60 hours certification programme on Cyber Security
Foundation Course for professionals in financial sector. CERT-In
regularly disseminates information and share security tips on cyber
safety and security through its official social media handles and
websites. CERT-In, Reserve Bank of India and Digital India jointly
carry out a cyber security awareness campaign on Beware and Be
Aware of Financial Frauds through digital India platforms. Union
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
exercises direction, superintendence and control on all about cyber
threats and safety measures. Precautionary, preventing and
protective steps are the need of the times with attendant
alertmindedness!

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