Rising Trends in Cybercrimes: An Englishman’s Perspective
Alarming Rise in Cybercrimes
Investment and Digital Arrest scams are increasingly troubling. These cyber frauds have surged recently, catching many unawares.
Cyber Investment Scams
Cyber investment scams involve online deceit where criminals trick individuals into investing in fake ventures. They often promise absurdly high returns, sometimes over 100 times the original investment—an outcome clearly too good to be true. Common scams include:
- Stock market fraud
- Online trading scams
- Forex trading schemes
- WhatsApp trading group frauds
- Matrimonial investment scams
- MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) scams
- Cryptocurrency scams
The increase is stark, with 11,024 cases reported in 2024, rising to 13,287 in 2025, according to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
The Dreaded Digital Arrest Scams
Second in the list are Digital Arrest scams. Scammers contact victims via phone or video, pretending to be from the police or cybercrime units. They frighten victims into transferring funds to avoid non-existent legal consequences. In 2024, there were 2,762 reported cases, growing to 4,439 in 2025.
Insights from Authorities
Analysis from Cyber Crime Wing
Sandeep Mittal, Additional Director General of Police, Cyber Crime Wing, explained, “Greed for quick gains often clouds rationality, leading to substantial losses. Once the money exits the banking system and reporting is delayed, recovery becomes near impossible. We’re working with stakeholders for technological solutions.”
Anonymity Encouraging Reports
Initially, many were hesitant to report cybercrimes. However, by ensuring confidentiality, the Cyber Crime Wing has encouraged more people to file complaints via 1930 or NCRP. This has proven effective with call volumes rising from 600-800 daily in 2024 to 1,600-1,800 today.
Growing Awareness and Trust
The increase in reported cases from 2022 to 2025 indicates growing public trust. Hopefully, this trend reaches saturation soon, reducing the influx of new complaints, as anticipated by Mr. Mittal.
Published: September 14, 2025 05:30 am IST
