The Government of India has ramped up its efforts to address cybercrime with a comprehensive framework aimed at prevention, detection and financial recovery—especially in cases affecting vulnerable groups, including the elderly. The Ministry of Home Affairs, in coordination with law enforcement agencies and financial institutions, has implemented multiple structural interventions designed to respond to rising cybercrime incidents with real-time mitigation and public awareness initiatives.
According to data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), cybercrime cases have risen steadily across India, with 65,893 cases registered in 2022, up from 27,248 in 2018. While the NCRB does not maintain disaggregated data on complaints specifically lodged by elderly individuals, the Centre has confirmed that targeted financial fraud against senior citizens remains a priority concern.
To combat this trend, the Ministry has operationalized the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), which serves as the central institutional framework for handling all categories of cybercrime. Embedded within I4C is the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in), a public-facing platform that allows victims to report digital crimes—including those targeting women, children and the elderly. Reports are forwarded to State and Union Territory law enforcement agencies for action under applicable laws.
In 2021, the government launched the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS), a mechanism that enables immediate reporting of financial frauds and fast-tracking of fund recovery. To date, over ₹5,489 crore has been prevented from being siphoned off across more than 17.82 lakh registered complaints. A toll-free helpline, 1930, has been activated to assist citizens in lodging complaints related to digital fraud.
To institutionalize inter-agency response, the government has set up a Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) at I4C, where stakeholders including banks, payment aggregators, telecom service providers and IT intermediaries collaborate with law enforcement agencies from States and UTs. This centre facilitates prompt blocking of suspect infrastructure and data-driven fraud detection.
As part of enforcement, over 9.42 lakh SIM cards and 2,63,348 IMEIs associated with frauds have been blocked, based on police reports.
The government has undertaken an aggressive campaign to raise awareness about cybercrime, particularly among the elderly, through a series of media engagements. In October 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue of “digital arrests” in his Mann Ki Baat radio programme. Akashvani followed with a dedicated segment the next day. Caller tune campaigns launched in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications in December 2024 promoted vigilance against digital arrest scams, investment fraud, malware, fake loan apps and deceptive social media ads—in six thematic versions broadcast in English, Hindi and ten regional languages.
Additional outreach included print advertisements, Delhi Metro announcements, social media influencer engagement, Prasar Bharati television spots, Raahgiri street events, cinema hall promotions, cyber safety weeks, school awareness drives, digital displays in railway stations and airports, and celebrity endorsements. Campaigns were also rolled out during mass public gatherings such as the Kumbh Mela 2025.
According to official records, district-wise incidents of cyber fraud in Kerala rose from 14 cases in 2018 to 26 cases in 2022, with most cases concentrated in Kollam Rural, Kozhikode Rural and Alapuzha. Several districts such as Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Kottayam reported zero cases, indicating regional disparities in reporting or incidence rates.
The government continues to emphasize that law enforcement is primarily a State subject under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. Accordingly, the Centre’s role is to supplement and coordinate national efforts while providing infrastructure, training and advisory support to State and UT law enforcement agencies.
This multi-tiered framework positions India at the forefront of citizen-centric cybercrime response, aiming to protect financial integrity, digital dignity and consumer rights through institutional reforms and proactive engagement.
