NEWS

• Karnataka recorded 7,293 cybercrime cases till June 2025, at least 2,000 fewer than the same period in 2024 and 2023.
• Bengaluru city alone accounted for 73.4% of cases.
• While official numbers show a decline, experts warn this reflects a shift in modus operandi rather than a real drop in crimes.

HIGHLIGHTS

Evolving Nature of Cybercrime

• Earlier scams: Phishing and OTP frauds dominated, requiring multiple attempts for small sums.
• Current trend: Courier scams and investment scams yield larger profits in single attempts.
• Example: One courier scam can earn ₹1 lakh, unlike phishing which required ~10 attempts.
• Fraudsters now operate through larger, more sophisticated networks, moving away from small-scale hubs like Jamtara.

Emerging Patterns

• Season-specific crimes: Fake pilgrim tours, hotel bookings, transport services.
• Modified old scams: Courier scams now include fabricated money laundering allegations.
• Corporate targeting: Email spoofing, hacking, and cryptocurrency exchange frauds (e.g., ₹356 crore loss in Whitefield).

Challenges in Investigation

• Low technical expertise among investigators delays cases and lowers conviction rates.
• Fraudsters remain emboldened by the poor conviction rate.
• Cyber Command Unit (CCU) exists but suffers from budget constraints, limiting its effectiveness.