Based on official data from the Mumbai police, there have been 1,909 reported cases of cyber fraud in Mumbai from January to May of this year.
Of these, only 200 have been successfully detected, resulting in the arrest of 295 individuals. This data highlights the significant gap between the number of reported cases and the detection rate, indicating the need for further improvements in the investigation and prevention of such crimes. According to the Mumbai police, the city has been plagued by several major types of cyber fraud.
Phishing Scams: Fraudsters deceive individuals by posing as legitimate entities or organisations and tricking them into revealing sensitive information such as login credentials, financial details, or personal data. There have been 20 reported cases of phishing in Mumbai, and four have been solved with the arrest of five accused.
Online Banking Fraud: Criminals exploit vulnerabilities in online banking systems to gain unauthorised access to victims’ accounts, leading to unauthorised transactions or theft of funds. There have been 541 reported cases in Mumbai, and only 18 have been solved with the arrest of 19 accused.
Social Media Fraud: Fraudulent activities on social media platforms, including fake profiles, identity theft, spreading misinformation, and luring individuals into scams. There have been 84 reported cases of social media fraud this year, and 19 cases have been solved with the arrest of 19 accused.
Investment and Ponzi Schemes: Fraudulent investment schemes promising high returns or Ponzi schemes that rely on new investors’ money to pay existing investors, ultimately collapsing and causing substantial financial losses. This year, 42 cases of investment and Ponzi schemes have been reported, and only six have been solved with the arrest of 20 accused.
The Mumbai police are actively working to combat these crimes and raise awareness among citizens to prevent falling victim to such scams. Apart from these, the police have also categorised different types of cheating cyber frauds as major concerns, including insurance fraud, admission fraud, fake website fraud, cryptocurrency fraud, and investment fraud.
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