India's Cyber Fraud Crisis: 65.9 Lakh Complaints and Rs 55,659 Crore in Losses Over Five Years
New data from the Union Home Ministry has exposed the staggering scale of cyber fraud in India, with citizens reporting approximately 65.9 lakh complaints involving a total financial loss of Rs 55,659 crore over the past five years. These reports were filed through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS), operated by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
Exponential Rise in Cyber Fraud Complaints and Financial Losses
In a detailed reply to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Junior Home Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar presented alarming statistics showing a sharp annual increase in cyber fraud incidents. The number of complaints has surged dramatically from 2.6 lakh in 2021 to over 24 lakh in 2025, highlighting a rapidly escalating threat landscape.
The year-by-year breakdown of complaints is as follows:
- 2021: 2.6 lakh complaints
- 2022: 6.9 lakh complaints
- 2023: 13.1 lakh complaints
- 2024: 19.2 lakh complaints
- 2025: Over 24 lakh complaints
Equally concerning is the financial impact. The annual amount lost to cyber fraud reported via NCRP and CFCFRMS has skyrocketed from Rs 551 crore in 2021 to Rs 22,495 crore in 2025. While the 2025 figure is slightly lower than the Rs 22,848 crore reported in 2024, the overall trend indicates a massive and sustained financial hemorrhage affecting millions of Indians.
Significant Savings Through Proactive Measures
Amidst this bleak scenario, there is a silver lining. Minister Kumar revealed that the CFCFRMS system has been instrumental in preventing substantial financial losses. Through swift action taken on 23.6 lakh complaints, the system successfully saved more than Rs 8,189 crore from being siphoned off by fraudsters.
This achievement underscores the critical role of dedicated cybercrime reporting and management platforms in mitigating the impact of digital fraud. The I4C's coordinated efforts through CFCFRMS demonstrate how technology and prompt response can protect citizens' hard-earned money in an increasingly digital economy.
The Growing Challenge of Cyber Security in India
The data presented to Parliament paints a clear picture of a cyber fraud epidemic that is growing in both volume and financial severity. The near-tenfold increase in complaints from 2021 to 2025, coupled with a forty-fold rise in reported financial losses over the same period, signals an urgent need for enhanced public awareness, stronger cybersecurity frameworks, and more robust law enforcement mechanisms.
As India continues its rapid digital transformation, with expanding internet penetration and digital payment adoption, these figures serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that accompany technological progress. The Home Ministry's disclosure highlights not only the scale of the problem but also the government's efforts to track, report, and combat cyber fraud through specialized portals like NCRP and CFCFRMS.
The ongoing battle against cybercriminals requires continuous innovation in detection, prevention, and recovery systems to safeguard India's digital ecosystem and protect its citizens from financial exploitation in the virtual realm.
