So far, 1,09,608 cyber fraud complaints have been received in Tamil Nadu this year through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), with the quantum of loss being ₹1,100 crore approximately. Cybercriminals use deceptive tactics, such as phishing emails, fake websites, or harmful attachments, to get people to click links that lead to malicious outcomes. Fake online investment scams trick people with the promise of huge returns. Investment scams and digital arrest scams figure in many of the complaints that have been received.
In 2024, there were 1,27,041 complaints registered on the NCRP portal. Over 13,287 investment scams and 4,439 digital arrest scams were reported.
Additional Director General of Police, Cyber Crime, Sandeep Mittal said in 2024, ₹1,673 crore was lost and out of which ₹772 crore was frozen and ₹84 crore was returned to the victims. This year, till July, a loss of ₹1,010 crore was reported out of which ₹314 crore was frozen and ₹62.4 crore was returned to the victims after obtaining necessary court orders. Mr. Mittal said due to the efforts of Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing, the Madras High Court has issued a circular to all judicial magistrates directing not to insist on FIRs for reverting the frozen money to the victims. The recovery of money based on the court order is now possible only based on the acknowledgement number of the complaint reported in the NCRP.
The ADGP added that the recovery of frozen funds has become easier; however, most of the frozen amount cannot be recovered.
Published – September 10, 2025 05:02 am IST
