Indians have lost more than ₹52,976 crore to fraud and cheating-related crimes over the last six years, with Maharashtra emerging as the worst-affected state in terms of monetary losses, according to official data compiled from national cybercrime reporting systems.
Data from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), sourced through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, shows a sharp escalation in financial frauds in recent years, driven largely by rapid digitisation, increased online transactions and increasingly sophisticated scam networks.
The year 2025 recorded one of the highest losses, with citizens losing around ₹19,813 crore across 21.7 lakh cheating-related complaints. In 2024, reported losses stood even higher at ₹22,849.49 crore, accompanied by 19.18 lakh complaints. Comparatively lower losses were reported in earlier years, underscoring a steep upward trend in cyber-enabled financial crimes.
Analysts attribute the surge to the growing dependence on digital platforms for banking, investments and commerce, combined with the emergence of organised fraud syndicates operating across borders. Common methods include fake investment schemes, “digital arrest” scams, online banking fraud, sextortion, e-commerce fraud and malware-based attacks.
State-wise data reveals that Maharashtra recorded the highest monetary loss in 2025, amounting to ₹3,203 crore, with over 2.83 lakh complaints registered. Karnataka followed with losses of ₹2,413 crore and around 2.13 lakh complaints. Tamil Nadu reported losses of ₹1,897 crore from approximately 1.23 lakh complaints, while Uttar Pradesh saw ₹1,443 crore in losses linked to over 2.75 lakh complaints. Telangana rounded out the top five with ₹1,372 crore in reported losses and about 95,000 complaints. Together, these five states accounted for more than half of the total national losses.
A closer examination of fraud categories shows that investment-related scams were the most damaging, accounting for nearly 77 per cent of the ₹19,812 crore lost in 2025. Digital arrest scams, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement agencies, contributed around 8 per cent of losses. Credit card fraud made up 7 per cent, while sextortion accounted for 4 per cent. E-commerce fraud represented 3 per cent, and app- or malware-based frauds contributed roughly 1 per cent.
Additional insights from the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) indicate the scale of the challenge faced by authorities. Around 21 crore cyber fraud complaints were reported in 2025, with nearly 45 per cent traced to networks operating from Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. These findings highlight the transnational nature of cybercrime and the difficulty of enforcement across jurisdictions.
To address the growing threat, the government has strengthened reporting and response mechanisms. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal allows citizens to lodge complaints related to various forms of cybercrime, with particular emphasis on crimes targeting women and children. Victims of online financial fraud can also seek immediate assistance through the dedicated helpline number 1930.
Officials continue to urge citizens to remain vigilant, verify investment opportunities, avoid sharing sensitive financial information online and report suspicious activity promptly, as cyber fraud remains one of the fastest-growing criminal challenges in the country.
