Cybercrimes Rise by 18% in Telangana in 2024
Cybercrimes in Telangana saw a significant increase of 18% in 2024, with 1,14,174 complaints of cyber fraud reported on the National Crime Reporting Portal. This is a sharp rise compared to the 91,652 complaints in 2023. The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) refunded ₹176.71 crore to victims this year, working in collaboration with the Telangana State Legal Services Authority (TGLSA) to create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for efficient redressal.
Steps Taken to Tackle Cybercrime
Shikha Goel, Director of TGCSB, presented the annual report on cybercrimes in the state. She highlighted the bureau’s efforts to assist victims and crack down on cybercriminals through seven specialized Cyber Crime Police Stations (CCPS). These stations are located in Warangal, Khammam, Karimnagar, Siddipet, Ramagundam, and Nizamabad, along with a central unit at the Bureau Headquarters with statewide jurisdiction.
Arrests and Financial Recovery
This year, 519 cybercrime cases were registered, and 186 accused were arrested. Proactive measures by the TGCSB’s 1930 Call Centre led to ₹244.56 crore being withheld, compared to ₹127 crore in 2023. Out of this, ₹176.71 crore was refunded to 17,411 victims, a notable increase from ₹8.36 crore refunded to 1,830 victims last year.
Increase in FIRs and Arrests
Telangana is now among the top five states in converting cybercrime complaints into FIRs. In 2024, 24,643 FIRs were registered, up from 16,339 in 2023. The police arrested 1,057 cybercriminals involved in 19,653 cases within the state. These individuals were linked to 1,16,421 cases across India. Additionally, TGCSB directly arrested 186 cybercriminals connected to cases across Telangana and other states, with 262 PT (production of warrant) warrants executed this year.
Awareness Campaigns and Operations
To promote cyber hygiene, the TGCSB conducted 20,677 awareness campaigns in 2024, both online and in person. The bureau also carried out its first interstate operation in Rajasthan, arresting 27 cyber offenders involved in 189 cases in Telangana and 2,223 cases nationwide. A major operation within Telangana led to the arrest of 48 cybercriminals implicated in 508 cases in the state and 2,194 cases across the country.
Preventive Measures and Technological Contributions
To prevent the misuse of mobile phones and SIM cards, the TGCSB blocked 14,984 SIM cards and 9,811 IMEIs in 2024. Additionally, 1,825 URLs and websites were blocked, slightly lower than the 2,202 blocked in 2023. The bureau also contributed significantly to the Crime Analysis Module of the centralized SAMANWAY portal, developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
National Recognition
Union Home Minister Amit Shah acknowledged TGCSB’s contributions and awarded commendations to Shikha Goel, IPS, Director of TGCSB, as well as other officials such as the DGP and SP of Cybercrime Operations, Devender Singh. This recognition underscores the bureau’s proactive efforts in combating cybercrime in Telangana and across India.
