Inspite of several measures to apprehend cyber crimes, the number is rising yearly
BENGALURU
Bengaluru has emerged as the cybercrime capital of the country, accounting for the highest number of cybercrime cases registered in India, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for 2024.
The report shows that Karnataka recorded 21,993 cybercrime cases in 2024, slightly higher than the 21,889 cases registered in 2023, indicating a steady rise in cyber offences across the state.
Of the total cases registered in Karnataka, Bengaluru alone accounted for nearly three-fourths. The city registered 17,561 cybercrime cases in 2024, compared to 17,631 cases in 2023.
However, disposal of cases continues to remain a challenge. Out of the cases registered in Bengaluru, only 3,632 cases have been resolved, while 13,929 cases are still pending investigation or trial.
The NCRB report further stated that Karnataka recorded 5,096 convictions in cybercrime-related cases during 2024.
Nationally, India reported a total of 34,958 cybercrime cases during the year. After Bengaluru, Mumbai ranked second with 4,939 cases, followed by Hyderabad with 4,009 cases, Chennai with 1,882, Pune with 1,504 and Lucknow with 1,292 cases.
Senior police officials in Bengaluru, however, attributed the high number of registered cases to increased public awareness and improved reporting systems rather than a sudden spike alone in cyber offences.
According to officials, extensive awareness campaigns conducted by Karnataka Police and Bengaluru City Police have encouraged more citizens to come forward and report online fraud, financial scams and digital offences.
Police also pointed out that Bengaluru has 11 dedicated cybercrime police stations, which has made registration and investigation of complaints easier and faster. In addition, citizens can now file cybercrime complaints online through dedicated portals and helplines, significantly improving access to law enforcement.
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Police officials said Bengaluru’s higher reporting numbers are partly due to better infrastructure for cybercrime complaints, including specialised cyber police stations and online complaint mechanisms.
Despite enhanced enforcement and awareness drives, authorities admitted that the growing scale of digital frauds and online financial scams remains a major concern. Officials said the city’s status as a major technology and financial hub has also made it a prime target for cybercriminal networks operating across the country.
