Escalating Cybercrime in Karnataka: Rising Incidents Amidst Stagnant Convictions

In recent years, Karnataka has witnessed a significant surge in cybercrime incidents. Despite the increasing number of cases, the rate of successful convictions remains disappointingly low, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating digital offenses.

Alarming Statistics

Between 2005 and November 2024, Karnataka registered a total of 55,948 cases under the Information Technology Act of 2000. However, only 14.51% of these cases have been resolved, indicating a substantial gap between reported incidents and effective resolutions. To address this growing concern, the government has established upgraded Cyber Economics and Narcotics (CEN) police stations across all districts and appointed a Director General of Police (DGP) dedicated to cybercrime. Despite these initiatives, the anticipated improvement in detection rates has not materialized.

National Cybercrime Landscape

On a national scale, India records over 7,000 cybercrime complaints daily, averaging one cybercrime every second. Despite this alarming frequency, many victims hesitate to report incidents due to concerns about privacy and reputation, leading to underreporting and challenges in assessing the true extent of cybercrime in the country.

Challenges in Investigation

Investigating cybercrimes in Karnataka presents several challenges:

• Geographical Barriers: Many cybercrime cases have direct links to northern states, creating logistical challenges for investigations. Karnataka’s cybercrime police often face difficulties when traveling to these regions, as the journey involves one to two days by train and significant expenses.
• Lack of Local Cooperation: Cooperation from local authorities and residents in other states is often lacking, and there are limited accommodations for investigators.
• Resource Constraints: Despite these hurdles, Karnataka’s police have successfully arrested suspects in several digital fraud cases. However, experts emphasize the need for the state government to allocate dedicated funds for investigation expenses.

Low Conviction Rates

Out of the 845 cases filed against accused individuals from Karnataka and other states, only 16 convictions have been secured so far. Convictions were reported in districts such as Belagavi (1), Chikkaballapur (1), Davanagere (1), Kodagu (2), Mysuru (4), Shivamogga (1), Haveri (1), Chikkamagaluru (2), Dharwad (1), Vijayapura (1), and Vijayanagar (1). The remaining 829 cases are still awaiting resolution.

Supreme Court's Intervention

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Central Government regarding the increasing prevalence of cybercrimes, fraudulent calls, and SMS scams across the country. A Bengaluru-based petitioner has urged the court to direct telecom service providers to curb spam calls and messages. The plea also sought the implementation of “CNAP Caller ID Services,” which would display the caller’s name along with their number to help prevent fraud.

Complexity of Cybercrimes

Despite efforts to combat cybercrimes, the growing complexity of cases, the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) by fraudsters, and the shortage of skilled personnel in the cybercrime division remain significant hurdles. Experts suggest creating a coordinated task force, increasing manpower, and ensuring cooperation from local authorities to address these challenges effectively.

Case Study: The FedEx Courier Scam

In a notable case, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Saidulu Adavath cracked a FedEx courier scam, revealing an organized network operating through a layered structure. Individuals in the first layer were responsible for making online calls, while others in subsequent layers created mule bank accounts and handled the intricate process of transferring funds across multiple banks. This chain operated without the full knowledge of the cybercriminals involved, making it challenging to identify the mastermind orchestrating the activities.

Preventive Measures and Public Awareness

While the Police Department is actively addressing cybercrime, the ultimate solution lies in prevention through heightened awareness. Citizens are advised to:

• Verify all online activities and refrain from trusting online operators.
• Avoid sharing personal information such as government IDs and mobile OTPs.
• Exercise caution in the rapidly advancing digital world to safeguard hard-earned money.

A single click can lead to significant losses, and it is crucial to use common sense while interacting with anyone online.

Enhancing Reporting and Coordination

Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda has implemented measures to enhance reporting procedures by permitting the registration of cyber complaints with law and order police stations, streamlining the process for quicker assistance. Regular meetings with nodal officers from various banks are conducted for better coordination and effective recovery of money during investigations. Additionally, essential digital tools and techniques have been implemented in every police station to track and address cybercrime cases efficiently.

Patterns of Cybercrime

There are 18 patterns of cybercrime, including online job fraud, cryptocurrency investments, and sextortion, resulting in a loss of over Rs 500 crore. Of the patterns recorded, online job fraud cases were reported the most till December 2023 in the Startup City.

Statistical Overview

In 2021, of the 6,422 cybercrime cases reported, 2,257 were cracked. In 2022, of the 9,940 cases, 2,431 were cracked. In 2023, 17,623 cases were reported, and only 1,271 were detected. This significant difference, accounting for only a 7.2% detection rate, highlights the challenge of identifying and combating cyber threats.

Conclusion

The surge in cybercrime cases in Karnataka, coupled with low conviction rates, underscores the need for a multifaceted approach to tackle this growing menace. Strengthening investigative capabilities, fostering inter-state cooperation, enhancing public awareness, and leveraging technology are crucial steps toward mitigating cyber threats and ensuring a safer digital environment for all.