Hyderabad, Mahbubnagar, Chittoor Emerging as New Cybercrime Hotspots

Hyderabad and Mahabubnagar in Telangana and Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, along with several other less-known districts in India, have earned a dubious distinction as emerging new cybercrime hotspots in the country, according to 'A Deep Dive into Cybercrime Trends Impacting India,' a white paper released by The Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF), a nonprofit startup incubated at the IIT Kanpur. Meanwhile, though Online Frauds Dominate Cyber Crimes in India, UPI Frauds top the list with 47.25 shares.

"While established cybercrime hubs continue to pose significant threats, the emergence of new hotspots demands our attention and proactive measures. These emerging cybercrime hotspots represent regions where various forms of digital criminal activity are on the rise, often catching both law enforcement agencies and the public off guard," observed FCRF.

FCRF divided cybercrimes into nine categories based on the nature of the crimes. Online Financial fraud accounts for 77.41 percent, followed by Online and social media-related crime at 12.02 percent.

Among online financial frauds, UPI Frauds top with 47.25 percent share, followed by Debit, Credit Card Fraud & Sim Swap Fraud (11.27 percent), and Internet Banking Related Fraud (9.28 percent) among other financial frauds.

FCRF, from the analysis of the top 10 cybercrime-prone districts in India, identified several common factors contributing to their vulnerability. These include geographical proximity to major urban centres, limited cybersecurity infrastructure, socioeconomic challenges, and low digital literacy.

FCRF also identified Cybercriminals' hotspots and the nature of cyber crimes, providing an overview of the types of cybercrimes prevalent in specific regions and highlighting the need for targeted strategies and awareness campaigns to combat these threats effectively.

The alarming surge in cybercrime incidents in recent years can be attributed to a complex interplay of various factors like Low Skills Required, Poor KYC and Verification, Availability of Fake Resources, Affordable AI Tools, and Recruitment and training of individuals, creating a growing pool of potential criminals.

Harshvardhan Singh, co-founder of FCRF, says the white paper underscores the critical need for Heightened training and capacity building across all sectors, including law enforcement, government, corporations, and individuals. "By fostering digital awareness and equipping our stakeholders with the necessary skills, we can collectively fortify India's defences against cyber threats and create a safer digital landscape for all," he adds.

Shashank Shekhar, co-founder, says the insights reveal cybercrime distribution patterns, hotspots, and emerging zones, providing invaluable knowledge for crime fighting. "Armed with this information, law enforcement agencies can strategically allocate resources, governments can formulate effective policies, corporations can bolster their cybersecurity measures, and individuals can take proactive steps to safeguard their digital assets."