Cybercrime complaints in Haryana double in two years, public awareness surges

Haryana is stepping up its fight against cybercrime with a significant rise in enforcement actions, public engagement, and financial recovery, according to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Dr Sumita Misra. She affirmed the state’s commitment to creating a secure digital environment for every citizen.

Currently, 29 Cyber Crime Police Stations are operational across the state, and plans are underway to open three more — two in Sonepat’s East and Gohana zones, and one in Bahadurgarh, Jhajjar district.

Misra revealed that the state’s dedicated 1930 Cybercrime Helpline witnessed a substantial spike in activity, receiving 7.25 lakh calls in 2024, up from 1.45 lakh in 2022. “This shows growing public awareness and responsiveness toward cyber threats,” she said. The number of complaints registered also rose sharply, reaching over 1.30 lakh in 2024 alone —compared to 66,784 in 2022 and 1.15 lakh in 2023. In just the first three months of 2025, over 33,000 complaints have already been registered.

“Haryana is committed to making cyberspace safer for every citizen. Our focus on awareness, enforcement, and inter-agency coordination is yielding strong results,” said Dr Misra. She urged residents to stay alert and report cyber frauds promptly using the 1930 helpline.

Enforcement efforts have intensified, with cybercriminal arrests rising from 1,909 in 2023 to 5,156 in 2024. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, over 1,900 cybercriminals have been arrested — averaging 21 arrests per day.

The state also saw significant financial recoveries from fraudsters. In 2024, authorities recovered Rs 268.40 crore — more than triple the Rs 76.85 crore recovered in 2023. The trend continues in 2025, with Rs 34.73 crore recovered in just the first three months, marking a 33.36% improvement in March alone.

To disrupt cybercriminal networks, the department blocked over 2.83 lakh bank accounts and 1.24 lakh mobile numbers in 2024. Thousands more have been blocked this year, including mobile IMEIs used in fraudulent activities.

Cyber awareness is also a top priority. “Our campaigns reached over 47 lakh people in 2024. In 2025, more than one lakh citizens have already participated in the first quarter,” Dr Misra added.

Haryana Tribune