NEW DELHI: In a significant revelation highlighting India's intensified battle against digital financial crimes, the Union Home Ministry informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that coordinated actions initiated through the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) have resulted in staggering savings exceeding Rs 8,189 crore between 2021 and 2025. This monumental achievement stems from proactive measures taken in response to a massive influx of 23.6 lakh complaints received by the specialized agency.
Citizen-Centric Systems and Helpline
The cornerstone of this anti-fraud architecture is the 'Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System' (CFCFRMS), launched under the I4C umbrella in 2021. This system was specifically designed to enable immediate reporting of financial frauds and to create rapid response mechanisms to halt the siphoning of funds by cyber criminals. To further empower citizens, a dedicated, toll-free helpline number '1930' has been operationalized, providing a direct channel for individuals to lodge online cyber complaints and seek urgent assistance.
Massive Disruption of Criminal Infrastructure
In a detailed written reply, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, disclosed comprehensive data on the government's disruptive actions. He reported that, as of December 31, 2025, based on inputs from police authorities, the Government of India has blocked more than 12.2 lakh suspicious SIM cards and over 3 lakh IMEI numbers. This large-scale blocking aims to sever the communication tools frequently exploited by fraudsters.
Furthermore, a pivotal development in the fight against organized cybercrime was the launch of a suspect registry on September 10, 2024. This registry, created by I4C in collaboration with banks and financial institutions, compiles identifiers of known cyber criminals. Minister Kumar informed the House that, by the end of 2025, this registry had facilitated the sharing of data on more than 21 lakh suspect identifiers received from banks and details of 26.5 lakh 'layer 1' mule accounts with participating entities. This intelligence sharing led to the decline of fraudulent transactions worth over Rs 9,055 crore, preventing massive financial losses.
Advanced Platforms Driving Arrests and Investigations
The minister elaborated on the role of sophisticated technological platforms developed by I4C. The 'Samanvaya' platform acts as a comprehensive management information system, data repository, and coordination hub for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) handling cybercrime. Complementing it is the 'Pratibimb' module, which specializes in geolocating cyber criminals and mapping their operational infrastructure.
The synergistic operation of Samanvaya and Pratibimb has yielded impressive enforcement results, leading directly to the arrest of 20,853 accused individuals. Additionally, these platforms have efficiently processed a remarkable 1,35,074 requests for cyber investigation assistance from various agencies across the country.
Digital FIRs: A New Initiative for Swift Justice
In a move to modernize the legal response to cyber fraud, the Central government has undertaken a new initiative to register electronic First Information Reports (e-FIRs) specifically for such cases. Minister Kumar stated that an 'e-FIR' system for filing FIRs in cybercrime incidents has already been successfully implemented in several regions, including Delhi, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Goa. This digital leap is expected to streamline the reporting process, reduce delays, and enhance the efficiency of the initial legal response to online financial crimes.
The comprehensive data presented to Parliament underscores a multi-pronged, technology-driven national strategy against cyber-enabled financial fraud. From citizen reporting and helpline support to large-scale SIM blocking, intelligence sharing via a suspect registry, advanced investigative platforms, and digital FIR systems, India's framework under I4C demonstrates a robust and evolving defense mechanism protecting citizens' finances in the digital age.
