Karnataka has officially been branded India’s cybercrime capital, with recent National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2023 revealing a staggering 25.57% of all reported cases nationwide originated from the state. Surpassing Telangana by a significant margin—21,889 cases compared to 18,236—Karnataka finds itself at the forefront of this digital menace.
Within Karnataka, Bengaluru stands as the undisputed epicenter of this surge. This bustling IT hub alone was responsible for a shocking 17,631 of the state’s 21,889 cybercrime cases in 2023, firmly establishing it as the city with the highest cybercrime rate in India. In fact, Bengaluru contributed a massive 51.92% of all cybercrime cases across the 19 metropolitan cities surveyed, dwarfing Hyderabad’s second-place figure of 4,855 cases. The city’s cybercrime rate is an alarming 207.4 cases per lakh population, a rate more than seven times the national average, underscoring the severity of the issue.
The city has witnessed a relentless escalation in cyber offenses, climbing from 6,423 cases in 2021 to 9,940 in 2022, and then skyrocketing to over 17,631 in 2023. This exponential growth starkly illustrates the dynamic nature of cybercrime and the increasing digital vulnerabilities faced by its residents. According to the data, the primary drivers behind these crimes are sophisticated fraud schemes and disturbing instances of sexual exploitation.
While 2024 saw a slight uptick with 22,468 cybercrimes recorded statewide, there’s a glimmer of hope in 2025. Mid-year data from State Crime Records indicates 7,293 cases, which is approximately 2,000 fewer than the figures reported for the corresponding periods in 2024 and 2023. However, senior officials caution that even if the raw number of cases sees a minor dip, the complexity of these crimes and the financial losses incurred by victims are unfortunately on the rise.
Alarming Lack of Convictions
Despite the alarming increase in reported cybercrime cases, the rate of convictions remains shockingly low. In 2023, Karnataka managed a mere 44 convictions, a figure that includes 11 cases brought forward from prior years. This pales in comparison to 60 acquittals and not a single discharge. Specifically for Bengaluru, this translates to a dismal conviction rate of less than 0.3% of all registered cases, highlighting a significant loophole in the justice system.
A high-ranking police officer pointed to four critical elements contributing to this persistent rise: poor cyber hygiene practices, insufficient cybersecurity measures, a general lack of public awareness about online threats, and the perpetrators’ constantly evolving tactics that exploit these very vulnerabilities.
Another officer, however, offered a different perspective, emphasizing Karnataka’s proactive stance on cybercrime reporting. He noted, ‘Our reporting mechanisms are superior to many other states. While some states might not log cases involving financial losses under one lakh rupees, Karnataka ensures that even cases with no monetary loss are registered, and victims are actively encouraged to report incidents at any police station.’ This suggests that the high number of reported cases could also reflect more comprehensive data collection.
Bengaluru’s Tech Savvy, Cyber Vulnerable Population
The officer further elaborated on how Bengaluru’s very identity as a leading IT hub inadvertently contributes to its cybercrime challenge. ‘The city is home to a diverse population, many of whom have access to and engage with cutting-edge technology. The booming sectors of online investment, trading, and e-commerce over the past few years have, unfortunately, made people far more susceptible to various cyber threats,’ he stated. He added, ‘We’ve observed a significant rise in sophisticated investment fraud and convincing courier scams recently, demonstrating that even well-educated individuals, keen on expanding their savings, can easily fall victim.’
‘In such an environment, combined with poor cyber hygiene, individuals frequently inadvertently expose their personal data, leading to substantial financial and personal costs,’ the officer warned. He candidly acknowledged that current efforts to boost cybercrime awareness among the public have fallen short of what’s needed.
Cybersecurity expert Shivaling Salakki critically highlighted the persistently low conviction rate, asserting, ‘The unfortunate reality is that as these fraudsters consistently evade justice, more individuals are drawn into cybercriminal activities. A significant shortage of adequately skilled cybercrime investigators is a major hurdle that absolutely must be overcome to improve conviction rates.’ He also proposed that increased collaboration between investigating agencies across different states would be crucial for enhancing overall effectiveness.
Looking ahead, senior police officers also underscored the pivotal role of Karnataka’s Cyber Command Unit (CCU), describing it as a potential ‘game-changer’ for the state’s fight against cybercrime. An officer remarked, ‘The recent High Court ruling, which specifically stressed the need to strengthen the CCU, is a highly encouraging development that we welcome.’