- Haryana recorded cyber fraud losses of over ₹850 crore in 2024.
- Gurugram alone logged more than 25,000 cybercrime cases.
- Police urge immediate reporting within the first three hours for better recovery chances.
- Nationwide awareness campaign by Haryana Police and Bajaj Finance highlights rising digital risks.
GG News Bureau
Chandigarh, 29th Nov: Haryana’s mounting cybercrime crisis has deepened, with the state losing more than ₹850 crore to digital fraud in 2024. Gurugram alone accounted for one-fifth of the cases reported during this period, officials said at a nationwide awareness campaign held in Sidhrawali.
Speaking at the “Knock Out Digital Fraud” programme, jointly organised by Haryana Police and Bajaj Finance Ltd (BFL) at Government College, Sidhrawali, Sub-Inspector Vikas Beniwal of PS Cyber Manesar warned that citizens are losing more than ₹40 crore every month to online scams. Around 250 students and faculty members attended the session.
Highlighting the methods used by fraudsters, he said ignorance, greed and fear remain the biggest vulnerabilities. “Scammers use digital arrest, investment traps and task-based fraud to isolate victims and drain life savings. If someone calls asking for money or bank details, they are a fraudster—awareness is the only real defence,” he cautioned.
He revealed that Gurugram reported over 25,000 cybercrime cases in 2024 alone, while Haryana Police have arrested nearly 5,000 people linked to such crimes. He stressed the importance of quick action: “The first three hours are the golden window. Prompt filing of complaints improves the chances of recovering the lost amount.”
According to police data, Haryana recovered ₹100 crore from cyber fraud cases in 2024–25. Across India, cybercrime losses exceeded ₹22,800 crore—an increase of nearly 40% from the previous year.
Assistant Sub-Inspector Rajeshpal of PS Cyber Manesar called cyber fraud an “economic war” against the country. “As India grows stronger, fraudsters—many operating from abroad—use our digital footprint and carelessness against us. Staying alert is crucial,” he said.
ASI Satyender Kumar described cyber fraud as a full-fledged business run through organised clusters. “Avoid sharing access, stay away from suspicious APKs, and do not link the same phone number to every platform. If fraud is suspected, call 1930 immediately,” he advised.
Professor P.K. Malik of Government College Sidhrawali encouraged students to spread awareness and protect their communities from digital threats.
Bajaj Finance Ltd, India’s largest private NBFC, has launched a nationwide financial literacy and cyber fraud awareness drive aligned with the RBI’s 2024 Fraud Risk Management guidelines. The campaign includes interactive workshops, digital awareness drives and community outreach initiatives across cities and towns.
The programme emphasises safe digital behaviour—avoiding sharing OTPs and PINs, steering clear of suspicious links, emails and QR codes, and refraining from downloading unknown applications. It also warns against fake social media accounts, WhatsApp groups and websites impersonating financial companies.
With cybercrime rising sharply, authorities urge citizens to stay vigilant and act swiftly to protect their finances.
