Bhubaneswar, Nov 27: Government is increasingly prioritizing cashless transactions and digital commerce also coincides with an unprecedented spike in cyber frauds particularly in the past eight years.
According to reports, cyber fraud cases in the state surged by 735% between 2016 and 2024. Between January and October 2024 lone, Odisha recorded 317 online fraud cases, surpassing the total for previous years. Alarmingly, success in tracking down perpetrators has been limited, with only 15% of cases resulting in arrests or resolutions.
From 2016 to 2024, Odisha saw a growing number of cybercrimes, with 32,626 cases reported across various police stations. The number of banking frauds—especially involving bank accounts—has seen a staggering increase. While incidents of ATM card fraud have decreased, credit card scams have become more prevalent. In 2016, the state witnessed several banking fraud cases, but by 2023, such cases increased by more than 11 times, highlighting a troubling trend.
Experts point to the rising use of the internet and social media as a significant driver of these crimes, with many citizens falling victim to online scams due to a lack of awareness and regulation, especially on social media platforms. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has highlighted a nationwide surge in cybercrime, with Odisha being no exception.
This spike has created major concerns for both state and central governments, pushing them to enhance efforts to tackle these issues.
October has been particularly concerning for cybercrimes, with online shopping scams spiking during this period due to festive offers. The rise in online shopping has led to more people falling prey to fraudsters, lured by lucrative deals on e-commerce platforms.
In 2016, 317 cybercrime cases were reported in Odisha, a number which soared to 824 by 2017. The year 2018 saw 867 cases, and by 2019, the number had more than doubled to 1,485. The pandemic in 2020 led to a temporary decrease in cybercrimes, with only 1931 cases reported. However, the numbers surged again, with 3,402 cases in 2021, and a record 7,700 cases in 2022.
In 2023, Odisha recorded 8,300 cybercrime incidents. Despite efforts by the police and banking authorities to combat these crimes, many victims report dissatisfaction with the authorities' response. Often, local police dismiss these cases or direct complainants to cyber cells in district headquarters, where they face further delays and lack of expertise.
Cybercrime experts and senior police officials acknowledge the difficulty in handling such cases, with a notable shortage of cybercrime specialists within the state police force. Without specialized knowledge and training, investigations are often slow, and many criminals continue to evade detection. Despite numerous efforts, the increasing complexity of cyber fraudsters poses a significant challenge to authorities.
The government and law enforcement agencies are urged to step up their efforts in educating the public about cyber risks and improving the capacity of police to handle digital crime cases. Public awareness campaigns, along with a stronger, more equipped cybercrime unit, are essential to mitigate the growing threats of online fraud and ensure the safety of Odisha’s digital economy.
