BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 30th August 2025: Tripura has recorded cyber fraud losses amounting to 51.49 crore, affecting 269 individuals across the state, according to alarming figures released by the Tripura Police. Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Dhankar, addressing journalists at the state police headquarters, appealed to citizens to remain vigilant, citing a nationwide surge in digital financial crimes.
“Cyber fraud is a growing menace across India. Even cyber experts are falling prey. Public awareness is our strongest defense,” said DGP Dhankar.
India currently ranks second globally in financial fraud via cybercrime, with losses escalating from 74.65 crore in 2023 to 228.45 crore in 2024. Tripura’s cyber fraud losses have shown a sharp upward trajectory over the past five years. In 2021, reported losses stood at 1.98 crore, which more than doubled to 4.62 crore in 2022. The figure climbed to 9 crore in 2023 and surged dramatically to 25.54 crore in 2024. As of July 2025, the state has already recorded losses amounting to 9.77 crore, underscoring the persistent threat posed by cybercrime despite growing awareness efforts.
Despite the rising figures, Dhankar noted a gradual decline in fraud cases in Tripura, attributing it to increased public awareness and police intervention.
Cybercriminals are deploying sophisticated tactics including: Fake electricity/gas bills and RTO challans; Investment scams via trading groups; Digital arrest threats using impersonated officials; OTP theft and bank fraud; Sexual extortion via video calls; Lottery, OLX, courier, and hotel booking scams; and Social media account hacking and impersonation
One Tripura resident reportedly lost 2.3 crore in an investment scam, while another was defrauded of ₹18 lakh under the guise of a franchise offer. In a disturbing case, a youth was extorted after being sexually harassed through social media video calls.
Tripura Police has seized 20,387 bank accounts linked to cybercrime, freezing 5.76 crore. So far, 33.84 lakh has been recovered. Dhankar expressed optimism that the trapped funds would be reclaimed within three months.
To combat rising cyber threats, Tripura Police has issued a detailed advisory urging citizens to adopt safer digital practices. They recommend installing only essential mobile applications and deleting unused ones to minimize vulnerability. Users should create strong, unique passwords that combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Sharing OTPs or personal media with unknown individuals must be strictly avoided. In case of fraud, victims are advised to report incidents immediately by dialing the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or contacting their local police station.
Citizens should refrain from clicking on suspicious “.apk” files or links promising high-return investments. Before transferring money—even to familiar contacts—identity verification is essential. The police also warn against participating in unauthorized online games or using unregulated loan apps. To reduce exposure, GPS, Bluetooth, and NFC features should be kept disabled unless actively in use. Finally, residents are encouraged to stay informed by following official cyber safety channels such as CyberDost and the Tripura Police’s social media accounts.
“Digital arrest is a myth. If someone impersonates a uniformed officer over a call, they are a fraudster,” warned Dhankar.
Tripura Police also cautioned against peer-to-peer cryptocurrency transactions and emphasized the importance of monitoring bank activity and social media privacy settings.
As cybercrime evolves with AI and deepfake technologies, authorities stress that proactive awareness and swift reporting are key to safeguarding citizens from financial and emotional harm.
