The Mangaluru City police reported that in 2024, investment fraud was the most prevalent form of cyber crime, accounting for 50% of the total 134 cases reported. A total of 67 cases of investment fraud were registered, resulting in a loss of ₹30.36 crore, which accounted for nearly 75% of the total losses due to cyber crimes in the city that year.
According to the police report, there were also 25 cases of fraud related to Customs and courier deliveries, digital arrests, with a total loss of ₹7.07 crore. Additionally, there were eight cases of fraud involving part-time job offers, resulting in a loss of ₹1.21 crore. Matrimonial fraud accounted for four cases with a total loss of ₹60.46 lakh, while share market fraud had five cases and a loss of ₹41.96 lakh. Online shopping fraud, KYC fraud, and other cyber frauds also contributed to the total losses.
The decrease in the number of cases reported in 2024 compared to previous years was attributed to effective preventive measures and increased public awareness. While 236 cases were reported in 2023, only 63 cases were reported in 2022.
In terms of financial impact, 2024 witnessed the largest total loss due to cyber crime amounting to ₹40.46 crore. However, the police managed to freeze ₹9.32 crore in accounts linked to cyber crime and released ₹2.55 crore to cyber fraud victims.
The report also highlighted cases related to the misuse of social media to harass women, child pornography, and other child harassment cases. Of the 5,498 complaints related to Mangaluru filed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal in 2024, 215 were converted into FIRs, while 4,907 complaints were closed.
A total of 42 individuals involved in cyber crimes were arrested in 2024, with the majority of arrests coming from Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The police managed to freeze ₹12.39 crore from 2,015 accounts and marked a lien on 7,027 bank accounts holding ₹10.07 crore.
Noteworthy arrests included individuals from Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu involved in various cyber crimes such as investment fraud, identity fraud, and job offer fraud.
Overall, the police have made significant strides in combating cyber crimes in Mangaluru, but continued vigilance and public awareness are crucial in preventing such incidents in the future.