Cybercrime Cases Climb 17.9% in 2024 as Online Time, Wealth Shape Risk
India recorded 1,01,928 cybercrime cases in 2024, up 17.9% nationally, with online exposure and socio-economic status shaping victimisation patterns.
Cybercrime registrations in India rose 17.9% nationally in 2024, reaching 1,01,928 cases, as digital adoption deepened across the country.
The increase points to a widening exposure surface: more people conducting more of their lives online, and more opportunities for fraudsters to strike.
Patterns of victimisation differ by type of offence. Individuals who spent more time online were more likely to be targeted by fraudsters, suggesting that sheer digital presence — hours logged, platforms used, transactions made — is a key risk factor.
Financial fraud, by contrast, was more closely tied to social and economic status. Wealthier and more educated respondents were more likely to report being victims, indicating that those with greater financial resources and higher digital engagement encounter more attempts at monetary deception.
The findings underscore that vulnerability to cyber fraud is not uniform. It varies with how much time a person spends online and with their socio-economic profile, with the two factors shaping distinct kinds of exposure.
As digital integration continues, the data suggests that both the scale of online activity and the financial profile of users will remain central to understanding who is most at risk.