Nagpur has witnessed a staggering loss of Rs 63.85 crore due to cyber fraud over the past year, with only five arrests made from 212 registered cases. These alarming figures were revealed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the legislative assembly’s budget session on Tuesday, highlighting a broader issue across Maharashtra, which recorded a total loss of Rs 7,634.25 crore to cybercrime.
Legislators, including Mohan Mate, Jyoti Gaikwad, Amin Patel, and Sunil Prabhu, raised serious concerns about the increasing cyber threats faced by citizens. Data shows that Nagpur’s arrest rate is notably lower compared to other regions. For instance, Mumbai reported the highest number of cybercrime cases at 4,849, leading to losses of Rs 888.29 crore and 757 arrests. Pune experienced the greatest financial impact, with losses amounting to Rs 6,793.04 crore across 1,504 cases, yet only nine suspects were caught. Meanwhile, Thane reported 680 cases, resulting in Rs 174.04 crore in losses and 13 arrests. In response to this rising cybercrime menace, the Maharashtra government is ramping up its investigation efforts.
Nagpur hosts one of eight advanced computer crime divisions under the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL), which provides specialized forensic support. The state has also established 50 fully operational cyber police stations, including dedicated facilities in Nagpur, that are equipped with advanced technology and trained personnel to enhance investigation processes.A key initiative, the Maharashtra Cyber Security Project, is nearing completion and will include a Nodal Cyber Police Station and six specialized divisions aimed at monitoring and controlling cyber offenses statewide.
Additionally, Fadnavis announced plans to establish a Centre of Excellence in Digital Forensics at the RFSL in Pune to expedite cybercrime case analysis. A Semi-Automated Processing project is also expected to streamline the examination of digital evidence.Furthermore, a notification issued on November 15, 2016, recognized 43 cyber labs and technology-enabled crime investigation centers as official cyber police stations, bolstering the state’s capacity to tackle digital crimes. Fadnavis noted that advanced computer crime divisions are also operational in Mumbai, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nashik, Amravati, Kolhapur, and Nanded.
However, despite the alarming rise in cyber fraud cases, the Maharashtra government clarified that there is currently no policy in place offering insurance protection against cyber scams. Once fully operational, the Maharashtra Cyber Security Project is expected to significantly enhance the state’s cyber infrastructure, improve inter-agency coordination, and facilitate quicker, more effective responses to digital crimes.
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