India recorded Rs 22,495 crore in losses to cyber fraud in 2025, with 28.15 lakh complaints reported during the year, experts said at a media workshop on cyber security held in Kohima on Thursday.
The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Kohima, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, organised the one-day Varta workshop on “Cyber Suraksha Abhiyan: Protecting Citizens from Digital Fraud” at Hotel Japfu. Experts from NIELIT, Kohima, Atoshe Lohe, Principal and Forensic Analyst, and Visezo Dahou, Faculty, Cyber Security, addressed the workshop.
Lohe explained the Money Restoration and Grievance Redressal modules introduced on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal in April 2026 to facilitate recovery of funds lost through financial fraud and address grievances, including frozen bank accounts.
He warned against fake investment schemes, impersonation of banks and financial institutions, and applications from unverified sources. He particularly cautioned against misuse of remote-access applications such as AnyDesk.
Emphasising the importance of the “golden hours” after a cyber fraud, Lohe urged victims to immediately report incidents through helpline 1930 and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Dahou said 76 per cent of financial losses in 2025 were linked to fake investment and trading scams. He urged citizens to “Pause, Verify, Report” before responding to suspicious calls, links or investment offers.
He also warned against digital arrest scams, AI voice-cloning fraud, fake loan applications and unofficial APK files. He advised victims of sextortion or online blackmail not to pay perpetrators, but preserve evidence and report the incident.
According to figures cited at the workshop, Rs 11,158 crore had been saved through more than 32.80 lakh complaints up to June 30, 2026.
