Bhopal Loses ₹16 Crore To Cyber Fraud In 8 Months

Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, has witnessed a significant rise in cyber fraud cases, with residents losing nearly ₹16 crore in just eight months. According to the available data, over 300 FIRs have been registered in connection with such cases, exposing the growing challenge posed by online financial crimes.

The actual loss may be higher, as the data does not include cases involving fraud amounts below the earlier threshold of ₹1 lakh for mandatory FIR registration. Besides the cases registered so far, 39 complaints are still pending to be registered as FIRs. Senior police officials admit that cybercrime has emerged as a major challenge, with complaints increasing steadily.

Fraudsters are targeting people across age groups and adopting increasingly sophisticated tactics to trap victims. In recent times, the parameters for mandatory FIR registration in cyber financial fraud cases have been reduced from ₹1 lakh to ₹25,000. Under the revised system, FIRs are now required in cyber fraud cases involving losses of more than ₹25,000.

Several victims have reported that even after they reported fraud and the police got the suspected bank accounts put on hold or the money frozen, they have not received their money back. Police sources said that due to a lack of manpower, the police are often unable to carry out raids to nab the mule bank account holders spread across the country.

Victims have also reported difficulties while filing complaints through the cyber helpline. Some claim that the process is lengthy and difficult to understand. By the time complaints are processed, fraudsters may have already transferred the money through multiple bank accounts, making recovery more difficult.

In the past few years, the number of FIRs registered in connection with cyber fraud cases has been increasing steadily. In 2022, 70 FIRs were registered, followed by 50 in 2023, 75 in 2024, and 60 in 2025.

Two separate incidents of cyber fraud were reported in which victims lost more than ₹5.12 lakh. In one case, a man lost ₹4.16 lakh despite claiming not to have shared any OTP or banking details. Another victim lost ₹95,445 after opening a fake e-challan link.

The incidents highlight the need for residents to be cautious while using online banking services and to be aware of the tactics used by fraudsters. The police have advised residents to be vigilant and to report any suspicious transactions immediately.

The rise in cyber fraud cases in Bhopal is a matter of concern, and the authorities need to take measures to prevent such crimes and to ensure that victims receive their money back. The reduction in the threshold for mandatory FIR registration is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to tackle the growing challenge of cybercrime.

In conclusion, the loss of nearly ₹16 crore to cyber fraud in just eight months is a significant concern for the residents of Bhopal. The authorities need to take measures to prevent such crimes and to ensure that victims receive their money back. The residents also need to be cautious while using online banking services and to be aware of the tactics used by fraudsters.