Cyber fraud cases in Gujarat have surged sharply this year despite ongoing awareness campaigns and frequent crackdowns on rackets operating locally and across borders. Between January and September 2025, cybercriminals targeted 1.42 lakh residents across the state, defrauding 72,091 victims of ₹678 crore, according to data from the Gujarat CID Cyber Cell.
Officials said the remaining complainants were able to save their money through quick alerts to the National Cybercrime Helpline (1930), which helped freeze suspicious transactions. However, the overall losses highlight how deeply cybercrime has penetrated the state.
Ahmedabad, Surat lead in cybercrime complaints
Ahmedabad City recorded the highest number of cyber fraud calls (28,382), followed by Surat City (20,102) and Vadodara City (10,433). Rural areas also witnessed a rise in cases, with Surat Rural (3,320) and Rajkot Rural (2,407) reporting thousands of complaints.
| District / Unit | Number of Calls (Jan–Sept 2025) |
|---|---|
| Ahmedabad City | 28,382 |
| Surat City | 20,102 |
| Vadodara City | 10,433 |
| Rajkot City | 7,643 |
| Gandhinagar | 4,884 |
| Bharuch | 4,404 |
| Ahmedabad Rural | 4,367 |
| Valsad | 3,871 |
| Bhavnagar | 3,663 |
| Mehsana | 3,618 |
| Others (25 districts) | Over 50,000 |
| Total | 1,42,476 |
Scammers use fear and technology to deceive victims
Despite coordination between Gujarat’s CID Cyber Cell and other agencies, fraudsters continue to evolve, exploiting fear and trust through social engineering tactics.
Recent incidents include:
- A retired government employee in Ahmedabad duped in a WhatsApp cryptocurrency scam.
- A Gandhinagar doctor “digitally arrested” and cheated of ₹55 lakh.
- A 62-year-old man losing ₹66 lakh after clicking a fake investment link.
- An Ahmedabad resident losing ₹57 lakh after being told his Aadhaar was misused in Mumbai.
- A Dahegam farmer defrauded of ₹45 lakh in a fake CBI probe.
Authorities noted that scams are increasingly spreading from cities to smaller towns and rural regions.
Educated victims, but unaware of online risks
Police said many victims are well-educated but fall prey to fraud due to misplaced trust or lack of digital literacy. Retirees and financially stressed individuals are among the most vulnerable.
Fraudsters often impersonate law enforcement officials to stage “digital arrests”, keeping victims engaged for hours and coercing them into transferring money. Delays in reporting—due to fear or embarrassment—give scammers time to move funds beyond recovery.
Sharp rise from 2024
The current numbers mark a steep increase from 2024, when Gujarat logged 1.31 lakh cybercrime complaints. That year, police recovered ₹108 crore and froze ₹285 crore in fraudulent transactions.
In contrast, just the first nine months of 2025 have seen 1.42 lakh calls and ₹678 crore in losses—signalling a fast-growing cybercrime threat that continues to challenge both authorities and citizens.