Panaji: At least ten Goans fall victim to cyber fraud daily, losing money online. In the first quarter of 2026, as many as 1,030 residents were allegedly cheated of Rs 25 crore by cyber fraudsters, with 34 FIRs registered during this period. The remaining complaints were forwarded to the respective police stations.
Common Scam Tactics
Fraudsters posed as bank officials, brokers, airline staff, online booking agents, and traders. They gained victims' trust and then deceived them. Police noted that many scams begin with fake advertisements on social media platforms. When victims attempt to purchase products through these ads, they are redirected to WhatsApp, where fraudsters send QR codes for payment. After payment, the item is never delivered, and the victim belatedly realizes it was a scam.
Threats and Job Scams
Some victims reported threats from fraudsters who warned they would post objectionable photos of them or their family members on social media if the demanded money was not paid. In a job scam, a fraudster posing as airline staff offered a victim a ground staff position at Dabolim airport. After gaining trust, the fraudster asked for money to process the application. The victim paid via UPI, but no job was provided.
Loan Scams
In another case, a victim seeking a loan searched online for a bank customer care number and unwittingly contacted a fraudster posing as a bank representative. Following the fraudster's instructions, money was deducted from the victim's account. Yet another loan scam involved a victim clicking on a social media advertisement, after which he received a call from someone claiming to represent a financial institution. The victim shared documents and paid a processing fee via UPI, later discovering it was a scam.
Rise in Cybercrime Cases
Cybercrime cases in Goa rose by 65% in 2025 compared to 2024. In response, Goa police decided to register FIRs in all cybercrime cases involving more than Rs 1 lakh. Police stated that many cyber fraudsters operate from abroad, making arrests difficult. Authorities blocked 442 web links, 168 social media accounts, and 866 mobile numbers. A total of 103 cybercrime cases had been pending investigation for over six months.
