Investment scams dominate; Maharashtra, Karnataka top the loss chart.
India
M
Moneycontrol02-01-2026, 22:33

India's Cyber Scam Bill Soars to Rs 52,976 Crore in 6 Years; Investment Fraud Dominates

  • Indians lost over Rs 52,976 crore to cyber crimes in the last six years, with a significant spike in 2024 and 2025, according to I4C data.
  • Investment fraud accounts for a staggering 77% of losses in 2025, highlighting a shift from simple phishing to elaborate schemes.
  • Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana are the hardest-hit states, comprising over half of the national total losses.
  • Around 45% of 2025's cyber fraud complaints originated from Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.
  • Rapid digitisation, increased online payments, and sophisticated scam networks are driving the surge, affecting both urban and rural areas.

Why It Matters: India faces a massive cyber fraud challenge, with investment scams leading to over Rs 52,976 crore losses.

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