Visakhapatnam: Cybercrime cases in Andhra Pradesh increased by approximately 8% from 2,341 in 2023 to 2,528 in 2024, with fraud emerging as the dominant motive, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)-2024 report.
Fraud accounted for over 50% of all cases, underscoring growing concerns over digital security and the need for heightened vigilance. Despite awareness campaigns, investment-related cyber frauds and 'digital arrest' scams continue to prevail in parts of the state. Officials noted a worrying trend: many victims are educated individuals.
In 2024, the state registered 2,528 cybercrime cases under the IT Act, IPC, BNS, and State and Local Laws. Of these, 1,274 cases — more than 50% — were linked to fraud, followed by political motives (272), personal revenge (141), extortion (81), and sexual exploitation (63).
The police stated that fraud has led unsuspecting victims to lose crores of rupees. They added that cybercrime remains an evolving threat, with digital arrest and investment scams prompting authorities to intensify awareness drives.
According to the NCRB, Andhra Pradesh recorded 7,210 cybercrime cases between 2022 and 2024. Police said losses in 2024 alone amounted to nearly ₹970 crore, though the actual figure could be higher due to underreporting. Officials noted that the lure of high returns in a short time drives investment-related frauds, with gullible investors falling prey to promises of quick profits. Nearly 70% of such frauds originate from Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, said cybercrime police inspector K. Bhavani Prasad.
Authorities highlighted that recovery of stolen money remains very low, as many scams operate from high-security locations reportedly run by Chinese operators, where trafficked individuals, including youth from Andhra Pradesh, are forced to work.
Key Statistics
- Andhra Pradesh lost ₹970 crore to cyber fraud in 2024.
- On average, over 200 to 300 cybercrimes are reported monthly in the state.
- Losses due to cybercrimes: ₹34.04 crore in 2021, ₹117.5 crore in 2022, ₹378.6 crore in 2023, and ₹974.12 crore in 2024.
- Cybercriminals plundered over ₹115 crore from Visakhapatnam residents in 2024.
- Andhraites lose at least ₹50 to ₹60 crore monthly to various forms of cyber fraud.
Lack of proper coordination between investigating agencies and banks hampers investigation in some cases. The police have set up a dedicated helpline number 1930 for cybercrime complaints.
Safety Tips
- Do not believe in unrealistic high returns, such as doubling your money in a month.
- Ask for a valid RBI and SEBI license before investing.
- Never share OTPs and passwords with anyone.
- Call 1930 immediately if you are a victim of cybercrime.
