City residents lose Rs. 17.18 crore; district residents lose Rs. 16.45 cr.

Mysuru: Despite repeated awareness campaigns by the Cybercrime, Economic Offences and Narcotics (CEN) Police warning people against online fraud, more and more people, particularly the educated, continue to fall prey to cyber criminals and lose their hard-earned money. Fraudsters often lure unsuspecting victims with promises of huge returns on investments before cheating them of their money.

In Mysuru city

From January this year till August, a total of 85 cybercrime cases have been registered in Mysuru city, with residents losing Rs. 17,18,49,760. In 2025, 155 cases were registered and people lost a total of Rs. 43,28,82,391 to cyber criminals.

In Mysuru district

In Mysuru district, 2,941 complaints were registered on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) from January to August this year. Of these, 36 FIRs were registered and a total of Rs. 16,45,55,527.83 was lost to cyber criminals.

Of the 2,941 complaints, 2,149 have been closed, while 756 are pending. The total lien amount is Rs. 2,57,41,134.35.

In 2025, a total of 2,583 complaints were registered on the NCRP in the district, of which 45 FIRs were registered. People lost Rs. 12,17,95,327 to cyber criminals.

Of the 2,583 complaints registered last year (in 2025), 2,523 cases have been closed. 60 cases have been kept in abeyance as there are no leads to track the criminals. Once the leads are obtained, these cases, which are in hibernation, will be reactivated, Police said.

How cyber criminals cheat

Earlier, cyber criminals would call people posing as bank officials and claim that their bank account had been blocked. They would collect confidential data and withdraw money. After the CEN Police began creating awareness about this fraud, such incidents declined and another form of online fraud emerged.

In this method, fraudsters call people and inform them that they have won a lottery and ask them to pay taxes before receiving the prize money. Once the money is paid, the fraudsters switch off their phones. Such cases also began to decline later.

Now, cyber criminals are luring people into investing in stocks and online trading by promising huge profits and then cheating them. Initially, the fraudsters show profits on the investments to gain the victims’ confidence. When they try to withdraw the money, they are asked to make further payments on various pretexts.

Fraudsters also call senior citizens and tell them that they have pending water or electricity bills. They send a Quick Response (QR) code and ask them to scan it and make the payment, while threatening to disconnect the water or power supply if they do not pay immediately.

Investment advertisements

The Police are also warning against online investment advertisements on social media platforms that promise huge profits for minimal investment. Once a person shows interest and contacts the number given in the advertisement, fraudsters send a website link and ask the victim to register and invest money.

Initially, the victim may be shown or even paid profits to make the scheme appear genuine. Later, the victim is persuaded to invest more money and is cheated.

‘Digital Arrest’

‘Digital Arrest’ is a scam in which cyber criminals pose as CBI, Customs or ED officials through video or phone calls. They falsely accuse people of being involved in a crime and force them to remain online while extorting money. In one such method, fraudsters make a video call and tell unsuspecting persons that drugs were found in a parcel sent in their name. They then claim that the person has been placed under ‘digital arrest.’

Once the victim is frightened, the fraudsters collect bank details and extort money. After the money is transferred to their accounts, they switch off their phones and disappear.

CALL 1930

The Police have cautioned the public to remain alert and urged anyone who falls victim to cyber fraud to immediately call the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930.