The first quarter of this year saw a significant increase in cybercrimes, such as Phishing, MIM Attacks, Spoofing Mail, Customs/Gift Fraud, Job Fraud, Investment Fraud, and Crypto-Currency Fraud, according to Mumbai Police statistics. The data states that there is a significant spike in cybercrime cases this year compared to the cases registered during the same period in 2023 in Mumbai.
Based on the available information, 1333 cases of cybercrime were reported between January to March this year, compared to 1205 cases in 2023. Of the total cases, 220 cases have been detected and 290 people have been taken into custody.
There has been a rise in cheating instances linked to cybercrime, with 801 cases reported this year compared to 606 cases in 2023.
A more thorough examination of cases of cheating connected to cybercrime has shown that the majority of cases involve investment fraud (170), which is followed by job fraud (158), online purchase fraud (28), fraudulent websites (28), fraud involving gifts or customs (25), loan fraud (18), fraud involving cryptocurrency (10), fraud involving insurance or provident funds (03), and admission fraud (02).
Phishing/MIM attacks/spoofing mail cases showed an increasing trend, with 22 cases reported in 2024 compared to 13 cases in 2023; job fraud cases (158 in 2024 and 65 in 2023); investment fraud cases (170 in 2024 and 23 in 2023); and cryptocurrency fraud cases (10 in 2024 and 08 cases in 2023).
Additionally, the statistics showed that a few categories of cybercrime cases such as obscenity in emails, SMS, MMS, and posts (61), fake social media profiles and morphing emails and SMS (35), credit card and online fraud (318), fake websites (28), hacking (07), sextortion (13), custom/gift fraud (17), purchase fraud (28) and data theft (05) had shown a declining trend this year.
In February 2024, the cyber cell had carried out a cyber shield project. Under this project about 190 officials were provided training to deal with ransomware investigation and crypto crime investigation. In the next phase over 1000 officials will be trained to curb the cyber fraud.
Additionally, well-equipped cybercrime reporting cells have been set up in 13 zones of Mumbai. Awareness about the 1930 helpline is being created as well.
According to Special Commissioner Deven Bharti, the 1930 helpline has helped freeze up to INR 25 crore in fraudulent citizen funds so far. Cybercrime detection rates rose from 11% in 2022 to 24% in 2023, says Joint Commissioner Satyanarayan. One of the two trainers who instructed the police officials was Nikhil Mahadeshwar, the creator of Cyber Secured India.
The DCP (cyber) office would soon be housed in a building at Bandra West, stated Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar.
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