**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha (No. 431) regarding cybercrime targeting senior citizens. The question was posed on December 2nd, 2025. The document outlines steps taken to curb cybercrimes, particularly those against the elderly, and strengthen cybersecurity mechanisms.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Data Compilation:** The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles and publishes statistical data on crimes, including cyber fraud, in its publication "Crime in India." The latest report available is for 2023. Details of cases registered under fraud under cybercrimes involving communication devices as the target from 2021 to 2023 are at Annexure.
* **State/UT Responsibility:** 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects according to the Constitution. States/UTs are primarily responsible for preventing, detecting, investigating, and prosecuting crimes, including cybercrime against elderly persons, through their Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).
* **Central Government Initiatives:** The Central Government supplements State/UT efforts with advisories and financial assistance. Actions to strengthen cybercrime mechanisms include:
* **Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C):** Established by the Ministry of Home Affairs to deal with all types of cybercrimes in a coordinated manner.
* **National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP):** Launched as part of the I4C to enable the public to report all types of cybercrimes, with a special focus on women and children (https://cybercrime.gov.in). FIRs are handled by State/UT Law Enforcement Agencies.
* **Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS):** Launched in 2021 under I4C for immediate reporting of financial frauds. It has saved more than Rs. 7,130 Crore in over 23.02 lakh complaints. Helpline number ‘1930’ for lodging online cyber complaints.
* **Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC):** Established at I4C with representatives from major banks, Financial Intermediaries, Payment Aggregators, Telecom Service Providers, IT Intermediaries and representatives of States/UTs Law Enforcement Agency working together.
* **Blocking of SIM Cards/IMEIs:** Over 11.14 lakhs SIM cards and 2.96 lakhs IMEIs blocked as reported by Police authorities.
* **CERT-In Alerts:** CERT-In issues alerts and advisories on the latest cyber threats/vulnerabilities.
* **National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC):** Implemented by CERT-In, serving as a control room to scan cyberspace and detect threats.
* **Cyber Swachhta Kendra:** CERT-In operates this (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre) to detect and provide tools to remove malicious programs.
* **Cyber Crime Awareness Campaigns:** The Central Government has launched several initiatives to create cyber crime awareness including:
* The Hon'ble Prime Minister spoke about digital arrests during the episode "Mann Ki Baat" on 27.10.2024.
* A special programme was organized by Aakashvani, New Delhi on Digital Arrest on 28.10.2024.
* I4C in collaboration with DoT launched a caller tune campaign on 19.12.2024 to raise awareness about cybercrime promoting Helpline Number 1930 & NCRP portal, broadcasting in multiple languages.
* A comprehensive awareness program on digital arrest scams.
* Cybercrime awareness campaign running through Weekly Show Cyber-Alert starting from 19th July 2025 for 52 Weeks in partnership with DD News.
* Dissemination of messages through SMS, I4C social media accounts, SMS campaign, TV campaign, Radio campaign, School Campaign, advertisement in cinema halls, celebrity endorsement, IPL campaign, campaign during Kumbh Mela 2025 & Suraj Kund Mela 2025, publicity in multiple mediums, Cyber Safety and Security Awareness weeks, Handbook for Adolescents/Students, digital displays on railway stations and airports.
**Impact Analysis**
**Senior Citizens**
* **Impact:** Senior citizens are the primary target of cyber fraud and online scams as highlighted in the initial question. The measures outlined aim to protect them from financial and other cybercrimes.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of the increasing cyber fraud, use the Helpline number 1930 and NCRP portal.
**States/Union Territories (UTs)**
* **Impact:** States/UTs bear primary responsibility for cybercrime prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution. They also benefit from Central Government support.
* **Action Required:** Enhance their Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) capabilities, implement cybercrime prevention strategies, and coordinate with central initiatives.
**Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs)**
* **Impact:** LEAs are responsible for implementing and enforcing cybercrime laws and participating in national initiatives like I4C and CFMC.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the NCRP portal, CFCFRMS, and coordinate with other stakeholders to tackle cybercrime effectively.
**General Public**
* **Impact:** The general public is intended to be more aware of Cybercrimes.
* **Action Required:** Use the NCRP portal, Helpline number 1930.
**Banks, Financial Intermediaries, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), IT Intermediaries**
* **Impact:** These stakeholders are essential in cybercrime mitigation by participating in the CFMC and implementing security measures.
* **Action Required:** Collaborate with I4C and Law Enforcement Agencies for immediate action and seamless cooperation to tackle cybercrime.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): An office set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs to deal with all types of cyber crimes in the country in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.
National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP): A portal launched as part of the I4C to enable public to report cyber crime incidents.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB): Compiles and publishes statistical data on crimes, including cybercrimes, in its publication "Crime in India."
Uttar Pradesh: Specifically mentioned as an area of concern regarding senior citizens affected by cybercrime.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The government ministry responsible for initiatives to deal with cybercrimes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 431
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2ND DECEMBER, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 11, 1947
(SAKA)
CYBERCRIME TARGETING SENIOR CITIZENS
†431. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that cases of cyber fraud and online
scam are increasing rapidly across the country, especially among senior
citizens, who are being duped through phone calls and online
applications;
(b) if so, the number of such cyber fraud cases reported during the last
three years, State/UT-wise;
(c) the total loss incurred to senior citizens during the said period,
particularly in Uttar Pradesh; and
(d) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to curb
cyber crimes and strengthen the cyber security mechanism?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR)
(a) to (d): The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles and
publishes the statistical data on crimes in its publication “Crime in India”.
The latest published report is for the year 2023. As per the data published
by the NCRB, details of cases registered under fraud under
cyber crimes (involving communication devices as medium/target)
during the period from 2021 to 2023 are at Annexure.-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 431 FOR 02.12.2025
Specific data regarding cyber crime complaints lodged by senior
citizens in the country is not maintained separately by NCRB.
‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects as per the Seventh
Schedule of the Constitution of India. The States/UTs are primarily
responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of
crimes including cyber crime and cyber crime against elderly persons
through their Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). The Central Government
supplements the initiatives of the States/UTs through advisories and
financial assistance under various schemes for capacity building of their
LEAs.
To strengthen the mechanism to deal with cyber crimes including
cyber crime against elderly persons in a comprehensive and coordinated
manner, the Central Government has taken steps which, inter-alia, include
the following:
i. The Ministry of Home Affairs has set up the ‘Indian Cyber Crime
Coordination Centre’ (I4C) as an attached office to deal with all types
of cyber crimes in the country, in a coordinated and comprehensive
manner.-3-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 431 FOR 02.12.2025
ii. The ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal’ (NCRP)
(https://cybercrime.gov.in) has been launched, as a part of the I4C, to
enable public to report incidents pertaining to all types of cyber
crimes, with special focus on cyber crimes against women and
children. Cyber crime incidents reported on this portal, their
conversion into FIRs and subsequent action thereon are handled by
the State/UT Law Enforcement Agencies concerned as per the
provisions of the law.
iii. The ‘Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System’
(CFCFRMS), under I4C, has been launched in year 2021 for immediate
reporting of financial frauds and to stop siphoning off funds by the
fraudsters. So far, financial amount of more than Rs. 7,130 Crore has
been saved in more than 23.02 lakh complaints. A toll-free Helpline
number ‘1930’ has been operationalized to get assistance in lodging
online cyber complaints.
iv. A State of the Art, Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) has been
established at I4C where representatives of major banks, Financial
Intermediaries, Payment Aggregators, Telecom Service Providers, IT
Intermediaries and representatives of States/UTs Law Enforcement
Agency are working together for immediate action and seamless
cooperation to tackle cybercrime.-4-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 431 FOR 02.12.2025
v. So far, more than 11.14 lakhs SIM cards and 2.96 lakhs IMEIs as
reported by Police authorities have been blocked by Government of
India.
vi. CERT-In issues alerts and advisories regarding latest cyber
threats/vulnerabilities and countermeasures to protect computers,
mobile phones, networks and data on an ongoing basis.
vii. National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) implemented by the CERT-
In serves as the control room to scan the cyberspace in the country
and detect cyber security threats. NCCC facilitates coordination
among different agencies by sharing with them the metadata from
cyberspace for taking actions to mitigate cyber security threats.
viii. CERT-In operates the Cyber Swachhta Kendra (Botnet Cleaning and
Malware Analysis Centre) to detect malicious programs and provides
free tools to remove the same, and also provides cyber security tips
and best practices for citizens and organisations.
ix. The Central Government has taken various initiatives to create cyber
crime awareness which, inter-alia, include:-
1) The Hon'ble Prime Minister spoke about digital arrests during the
episode "Mann Ki Baat" on 27.10.2024 and apprised the citizens
of India.-5-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 431 FOR 02.12.2025
2) A special programme was organized by Aakashvani, New Delhi on
Digital Arrest on 28.10.2024.
3) Caller Tune Campaign: I4C is collaboration with the Department of
Telecommunications (DoT) has launched a caller tune campaign
with effect from 19.12.2024 for raising awareness about
cybercrime and promoting the Cybercrime Helpline Number 1930
& NCRP portal. The caller tunes were also being broadcast in
English, Hindi and 10 regional languages by Telecom Service
Providers (TSPs). Six versions of caller tunes were played which
cover various modus-operandi, namely, Digital Arrest, Investment
Scam, Malware, Fake Loan App, Fake Social Media
Advertisements.
4) The Central Government has launched a comprehensive
awareness programme on digital arrest scams which, inter-alia,
include; newspaper advertisement, announcement in Delhi Metros,
use of social media influencers to create special posts, campaign
through Prasar Bharti and electronic media, special programme on
Aakashvani.
5) In partnership with DD News, I4C conducted a cybercrime
awareness campaign running through Weekly Show Cyber-Alert
starting from 19th July 2025 for 52 Weeks.-6-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 431 FOR 02.12.2025
6) To further spread awareness on cyber crime, the Central
Government has taken steps which, inter-alia, include;
dissemination of messages through SMS, I4C social media
account i.e. X (formerly Twitter) (@CyberDost),
Facebook(CyberDostI4C), Instagram (CyberDostI4C),
Telegram(cyberdosti4c), SMS campaign, TV campaign, Radio
campaign, School Campaign, advertisement in cinema halls,
celebrity endorsement, IPL campaign, campaign during Kumbh
Mela 2025 & Suraj Kund Mela 2025, engaged MyGov for publicity
in multiple mediums, organizing Cyber Safety and Security
Awareness weeks in association with States/UTs, publishing of
Handbook for Adolescents/Students, digital displays on railway
stations and airports across, etc.
*****ANNEXURE
L.S. .US. Q. NO. 431 FOR 02.12.2025
State/UT-wise Cases Registered under fraud under Cyber Crimes during the year 2021-
2023
SL State/UT 2021 2022 2023
1 Andhra Pradesh 952 984 909
2 Arunachal Pradesh 2 0 0
3 Assam 82 16 0
4 Bihar 1373 1441 2611
5 Chhattisgarh 67 42 29
6 Goa 1 11 0
7 Gujarat 208 108 112
8 Haryana 52 44 11
9 Himachal Pradesh 6 9 7
10 Jharkhand 79 98 43
11 Karnataka 6 0 0
12 Kerala 16 26 117
13 Madhya Pradesh 89 180 91
14 Maharashtra 1678 2202 2075
15 Manipur 0 0 0
16 Meghalaya 0 0 0
17 Mizoram 0 0 0
18 Nagaland 0 0 0
19 Odisha 1205 957 1362
20 Punjab 29 61 25
21 Rajasthan 371 292 84
22 Sikkim 0 0 0
23 Tamil Nadu 107 251 887
24 Telangana 7003 9581 10626
25 Tripura 0 0 0
26 Uttar Pradesh 614 766 287
27 Uttarakhand 0 31 18
28 West Bengal 40 30 7
TOTAL STATE(S) 13980 17130 19301
29 A&N Islands 0 0 0
30 Chandigarh 0 2 0
31 D&N Haveli and Daman & Diu 0 0 0
32 Delhi 19 331 163
33 Jammu & Kashmir 8 7 2
34 Ladakh 0 0 0
35 Lakshadweep 0 0 0
36 Puducherry 0 0 0
TOTAL UT(S) 27 340 165
TOTAL (ALL INDIA) 14007 17470 19466
Source: Crime in India published by NCRB.
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