A white paper by the Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF) reveals that Ahmedabad and Surat are evolving into the nation’s newest cybercrime hotspots. FCRF is an organization spearheaded by the IIT Kanpur.
This exhaustive report meticulously analyzed cybercrime incidents reported nationwide between January 2020 and June 2023, unearthing 83 small towns and cities across 18 states rapidly morphing into cybercrime hubs.
The most common types of cybercrime identified in the study included online financial fraud, hacking, and impersonation. Task-based and mobile-based investment frauds are rising in Gujarat.
The study zeroed in on three primary reasons behind this worrying trend.
Poor KYC rules spawn criminals
Poor KYC and verification process, recruitment and training to unemployed or underemployed individuals and use of virtual private networks (VPNs) that provide anonymity to criminals online were identified as three major reasons for the proliferation of cybercriminals in towns and cities,” the FCRF report observes.
“Over the past 16 months, there has been a rise in taskbased and mobile app-based investments. The Ahmedabad police have identified members of gangs involved in fraudulent activities, which have resulted in substantial losses for unsuspecting victims. These pan-Indian gangs, which also have members in Gujarat, are at the centre of investigations,” says a senior police official.
This July, an investment fraud scheme amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees was uncovered by the Hyderabad police, with operations spanning Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad. Nine people were arrested from the three cities. The victims of these scams have experienced major financial losses.
The IIT-Kanpur report also shed light on the prevalence of emerging cybercrime hotspots nationwide. West Bengal had the highest number, 14 towns and cities, on the list. Uttar Pradesh followed closely with 11 towns, some of which, like Domakhas Maharajganj and Jevar, were unheard of. The most common types of cybercrime identified in the study included online financial fraud, hacking, and impersonation.
In addition to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, these emerging cybercrime hotspots have become areas of concern. “These hotspots represent regions where digital criminal activities are on the rise, catching law enforcement agencies and the public off guard,” the FCRF report observes.