NEWS – The Centre’s online ‘suspect registry’ system has completed ten months of operation, preventing 13 lakh fraudulent transactions and saving Rs 5,111.80 crore. Launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on September 10, 2024, it is a major step in tackling cyber fraud in India.

HIGHLIGHTS

What is Cybercrime?

• Cybercrimes are illegal activities using computers or the internet.
• Common types include financial fraud, phishing, hacking, identity theft, and online scams.
• Ordinary citizens sometimes unknowingly act as cyber mules, helping criminals transfer money.

Key Features of the Suspect Registry

• Developed by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Linked to the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
• Contains data of 1.4 million cybercriminals and shared with 61 banks/financial institutions.
• Can be accessed by States/UTs, central investigation, and intelligence agencies.
• Frozen around 3.54 lakh accounts and identified 11.1 lakh unique accounts involved in fraud.

Impact So Far

• Saved Rs 5,111.80 crore from fraudulent transactions between Sept 2024 – Aug 2025.
• Refunds processed: Rs 15.03 crore (Jan), Rs 18.45 crore (June), and others for each month.
• India loses over Rs 1,000 crore per month to cyber fraud, mostly in financial scams.

Government Measures

• Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS): Enables citizens to report fraud via helpline 1930.
• I4C Platforms: Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre, ‘Samanvaya’, Cyber Commandos, and Suspect Registry coordinate anti-cybercrime efforts.
• Multi-agency approach involving banks, law enforcement, and state/UT authorities ensures quick action.