In 2024, Kanpur has emerged as a hub for cybercrime, witnessing a significant increase in fraudulent activities. According to police records, cybercriminals managed to steal a whopping ₹40.80 crore from 802 victims in the city. This represents a staggering surge compared to the losses reported in the previous two years, which were ₹2.58 crore in 2022 and ₹2.70 crore in 2023.
The fraudsters behind these crimes utilized a total of 1,936 fake mobile numbers to carry out their scams, targeting unsuspecting individuals throughout Kanpur. The scale of these fraudulent activities has raised concerns among law enforcement officials and cybersecurity experts. Varun Shukla, a cybersecurity expert, highlighted the audacity of these scams, stating that authorities are struggling to keep pace with the evolving tactics used by digital fraudsters.
A major challenge faced by the Kanpur police’s cybersecurity wing is the difficulty in recovering the stolen funds. Despite their tireless efforts, only 10% of the stolen amount has been recovered so far. Of the recovered funds, approximately ₹5 crore has been returned to victims, with a significant portion coming from a single case amounting to ₹91 lakh.
One of the notable cases involved the Kanpur Electricity Supply Company (KESCo), where cybercriminals managed to swindle 1,900 consumers out of ₹1.68 crore by creating fake links for online electricity bill payments. This highlights the sophistication and deceptive tactics employed by these criminals to defraud unsuspecting individuals.
In a more elaborate scheme, cybercriminals posed as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor and enacted a “digital arrest” on an NRI doctor from the posh Kakadeo area. The victim was held under false pretenses for five days, during which the criminals managed to steal ₹80 lakh from the individual. Such elaborate and deceitful schemes underscore the need for increased vigilance and awareness among the general public.
Sunil Varma, who heads the anti-cybercrime wing, confirmed that all 1,936 mobile numbers associated with these fraudulent activities have been deactivated following a report from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (ICCCC). This step aims to prevent further misuse of these numbers by cybercriminals and mitigate the risk of future fraudulent activities.
The rise in cybercrime in Kanpur serves as a stark reminder of the evolving nature of digital fraud and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. Authorities continue to work tirelessly to combat these crimes and protect the citizens of Kanpur from falling victim to such deceptive schemes. As the digital landscape becomes increasingly complex, remaining vigilant and informed is crucial in safeguarding against cyber threats.