Uttar Pradesh Secures Third Position Nationally in Cyber Fraud Recovery
In a significant achievement for cyber crime prevention, Uttar Pradesh has secured the third position at the national level in lien percentage, according to January 2026 data released by the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). This key indicator measures the proportion of defrauded money successfully frozen before it can be siphoned off from the banking system.
Remarkable Leap in Performance
The state has made an impressive leap from its earlier 24th position to now occupy the third spot nationally. This improvement reflects in concrete financial terms, with Uttar Pradesh successfully freezing ₹484.45 crore of cyber fraud proceeds within the banking infrastructure. This substantial recovery represents a major victory in the ongoing battle against digital financial crimes.
Government Prioritization of Cyber Security
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has consistently identified cyber crime as a serious threat to multiple aspects of society, including internal security, social stability, and citizens' privacy. Officials confirm that the prevention, control, and effective investigation of cyber crimes have been placed among the government's highest priorities, reflecting the administration's commitment to digital safety.
Strategic Policing Initiatives
Following the assumption of charge by Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna, the Uttar Pradesh Police identified ten core policing priorities, with cybercrime prevention and control designated as a key focus area. This strategic decision led to the implementation of structured, time-bound initiatives aimed at:
- Enhancing cyber awareness among citizens
- Providing specialized training to law enforcement personnel
- Building institutional capacity to handle digital crimes
Comprehensive Awareness Campaigns
Under the leadership of DGP Cybercrime Binod K Singh, the state has organized more than 500 cyber awareness camps across Uttar Pradesh over the past eight months. Among these initiatives, fourteen programs featured the participation of the DGP (UP) through online platforms, directly sensitizing over one lakh citizens about cyber threats and preventive measures.
In parallel, comprehensive cyber awareness programs were conducted in all police stations throughout the state. Officers and staff received training from cyber experts, significantly improving response times and investigation quality in digital fraud cases. This systematic approach has created a more responsive and capable law enforcement framework.
Enhanced Infrastructure and Response Systems
A crucial contributor to the improved lien percentage has been the strengthening of cyber response infrastructure. The stand-alone cyber call center at Kalli West in Lucknow, currently equipped with thirty seats, handles approximately 5,000 calls daily from citizens reporting cyber crimes. Authorities have announced plans to add thirty more seats shortly, which will increase the call-handling capacity to an impressive 9,000 calls per day.
Understanding Cyber Crime Motivations
DGP Rajeev Krishna has identified four primary factors that contribute to most cyber crimes:
- Greed - falling for schemes promising assured high returns
- Negligence - sharing OTPs or sensitive personal data
- Addiction - particularly to online gaming platforms
- Fear - responding to fake threats of arrest or fines via video calls
Krishna emphasized a crucial point for citizen awareness: "No law enforcement agency in India arrests or demands money online." He urged citizens to remain alert and well-informed, cautioning against schemes that exploit these vulnerabilities.
The combination of strategic prioritization, comprehensive awareness campaigns, enhanced infrastructure, and clear citizen guidance has positioned Uttar Pradesh as a national leader in cyber crime prevention and financial recovery efforts.
