Cyber fraud reporting rises amid faster police interventions

Image used for representational purposes only. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto The number of cyber fraud complaints registered in Kozhikode city limits has crossed 2,200 in the first 10 months of 2026, with police officials reporting a steady rise in the number of victims approaching the authorities for help. The increase in reporting, they say, has coincided with greater public awareness of online scams and the availability of faster mechanisms to trace fraudulent transactions and recover lost money.Also read | Two lose nearly ₹1 crore in separate online trading frauds in Keralam’s KozhikodeAccording to police officers involved in cybercrime investigations, the growing number of complaints is also an indication of the public response to awareness campaigns and the grievance redressal measures. The use of advanced cyber technologies and track fraudsters has further strengthened the investigation process, encouraging victims to report incidents at the earliest, they point out.Kozhikode City police received 1,799 cyber fraud complaints in 2024, of which 128 FIRs were registered. The number of complaints increased to 2,142 in 2025, with 60 FIRs registered. As many as 2,297 complaints were received up to October 2026, resulting in the registration of 78 FIRs. As per official records, the city now records an average of more than seven cyber fraud complaints every day.Police officials attribute the increase partly to a change in public attitudes towards cybercrime. Awareness of the possibility of tracing fraudulent transactions and recovering lost money has also encouraged people to approach the police promptly.“The police have strengthened the recovery process through mechanisms such as the Money Restoration Module and the Cyber Fraud Grievance Redressal Module,” says a senior police officer with the Cyber Cell. These systems, according to him, facilitate coordination with banks to trace suspicious transactions. If the amount is successfully frozen, it may be possible to return the money to the victim within three to four days, he adds.Cyber case investigation team members say the victims can approach police stations directly, where dedicated help desks have been set up to assist them. Officers stress that the time taken to report a fraud is crucial, as prompt intervention improves the chances of freezing the money before it is withdrawn.According to police estimates, women account for about 70% of victims in cyber-enabled financial fraud complaints. Fake online clothing and jewellery sales, online marketing offers and fraudulent investment schemes are among the methods commonly used to target them, they reveal.UPI payment fraud, OTP scams, credit and ATM card fraud, internet banking fraud, QR code scams, digital arrest schemes, fake investment offers, online trading fraud and fraudulent loan applications are among the major forms of cybercrime reported in the city. The Kozhikode City police arrested 93 persons in connection with cyber fraud in 2024, 64 in 2025 and 42 up to October 2026.Cyber police officers reveal that the fraudsters are constantly devising new methods, making it necessary for investigators to keep pace with emerging forms of cybercrime. Early reporting remains essential to tracing the money trail, freezing suspicious accounts and improving the chances of recovery, they remind. Published - November 15, 2026 12:26 pm IST