Digital Scoop India Official Platform of Digital Scoop India Featuring Latest & Best News #Articles #Bytes #Entertainment #DigitalScoopMagazine
Related Articles
Karnataka has become a hotspot for digital frauds in 2024, with a staggering ₹109.01 crore lost to scammers impersonating government officials. The figures were disclosed by Home Minister G Parameshwara during a session of the Karnataka Legislative Council on December 12. The scams, which involve criminals pretending to be representatives of agencies like the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), or even law enforcement bodies, have raised serious concerns about cybersecurity in the state.
As of now, the police have managed to recover only ₹9.45 crore—less than 10% of the total losses. In total, 641 cases of digital fraud have been recorded in the state, with Bengaluru emerging as the epicenter of these crimes. The city alone accounted for 480 of these cases, making up nearly three-fourths of the total number. Other cities like Mysuru and Mangaluru have also been affected, with 24 and 21 reported cases, respectively.
The scamsters use various methods to lure victims, including impersonating judges or staging fake court proceedings to instill fear. They pressure targets by threatening legal action, surveillance, or even imprisonment if they don’t hand over money. One of the most notable cases involved a youth from Mysuru who was tricked into taking a ₹4.7 lakh loan. The fraudsters then held him under “digital arrest” for 24 hours, forcing him to deal with financial demands for a loan he never knowingly took.
In an effort to tackle the issue, Karnataka police have arrested 27 individuals associated with the scams, although none of the accused involved in Bengaluru’s cases have been apprehended so far. Investigations have also led to the shutdown of over 700 social media platforms, including Facebook groups, Telegram channels, Instagram accounts, and WhatsApp groups, which were used by the fraudsters to lure their victims.
Despite the challenges, authorities are intensifying their efforts to raise public awareness and strengthen enforcement against cybercrimes. The surge in digital frauds underscores the urgent need for greater vigilance and more robust cybersecurity measures across Karnataka.
Sources By Agencies
