Odisha Cyber Fraud: Rs 712 Crore Lost by 76,794 Victims in 18 Months
In a shocking revelation, cyber fraudsters have siphoned off a staggering Rs 712 crore from 76,794 victims in Odisha over the past 18 months. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi disclosed this alarming data in the state assembly on Monday, highlighting a 12% rise in cybercrime cases in 2025.
Complaint Mechanisms and Rising Trends
Responding to a question from BJD MLA Pratap Keshari Deb, CM Majhi outlined two primary complaint mechanisms available to citizens: reporting at local police stations and using the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), which also operates the toll-free helpline 1930.
Between June and December 2024, the NCRP received 27,368 complaints from Odisha involving fraud worth Rs 279.71 crore. In 2025, this number surged to 49,426 complaints with losses totaling Rs 432.28 crore. Authorities managed to refund approximately Rs 8 crore to victims and blocked another Rs 92 crore during this 18-month period, as per the CM's written reply.
Detailed Breakdown of Cybercrime Cases
The state police separately recorded a detailed breakdown of cases between June 2024 and December 2025:
- 2,482 cases of financial fraud amounting to Rs 259 crore.
- 1,689 cases of social media fraud worth Rs 1.28 crore.
- 14 hacking-related cases involving Rs 8.5 lakh.
- 53 other fraud cases totaling Rs 23 lakh.
In these instances, police refunded Rs 61.36 lakh and froze Rs 8.9 crore. Officials clarified that most NCRP complaints were also reflected in police station records, ensuring comprehensive tracking.
Steady Increase in Cybercrime Registrations
Replying to BJD MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain's question, CM Majhi further informed the assembly that Odisha has seen a steady upward trend in cybercrime cases:
- 2,348 cases in 2023
- 2,501 cases in 2024
- 2,803 cases in 2025
This consistent rise underscores the growing threat of cyber fraud in the state.
Government Efforts to Combat Cybercrime
Highlighting government initiatives to tackle this menace, CM Majhi detailed several measures:
- 34 cyber police stations are now operational across Odisha.
- Six cyber commandos have completed six months of national-level training, with 20 more set to undergo similar training.
- A month-long awareness drive was launched on October 18, 2025.
- 3,063 police personnel have received specialized training in cybercrime investigation.
Future Plans: Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security
Recently, CM Majhi proposed the creation of a Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security with an allocation of Rs 89 crore in the state budget for 2026-27. In his budget speech, he emphasized that this center will strengthen cyber monitoring, digital forensics, capacity building, and advanced response capabilities. It aims to significantly enhance Odisha's preparedness for technology-driven crime and secure digital governance, marking a proactive step towards a safer digital future.
