Visakhapatnam: Cybercriminals have stolen over ₹46 crore from the people of Visakhapatnam between January and August this year.

As technology advances, scammers are finding new ways to cheat people. In the past eight months, more than 240 cybercrime complaints have been filed in the city. Every day, 10 to 20 people in Vizag are becoming victims of cyber fraud.

The number of cases has sharply increased in recent months, with cybercrimes ranging from financial fraud to identity theft, cyberstalking, and even trafficking. According to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, over 13,000 people in Vizag have fallen victim to cybercrimes, leading to losses of around ₹100 crore in recent years. Out of this, ₹18 crore has been frozen in bank accounts, and the police have returned ₹4.6 crore to 150 victims.

K Bhavani Prasad, Inspector of the Cybercrimes Police Station, explained that scammers use various methods, including fake profiles on matrimonial and dating apps, to target people. Many have also been cheated by fraudulent investment apps and threats of fake money laundering or drug charges.

City Police Commissioner Shanka Brata Bagchi expressed concern that many cybercrimes go unreported. "Cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to steal money. Vizag police are working to improve their skills and create awareness to help prevent these crimes," he said.

In 2023, Vizag saw 419 major cybercrimes, with over ₹32 crore stolen. In 2022, the amount was ₹16.33 crore, and in 2021, it was ₹9.32 crore. Police urge victims to report cybercrimes immediately, as money can often be frozen and recovered if the crime is reported within one hour.

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