65% increase in registration of cybercrime cases in 2025

Panaji: There was a 65% increase in the registration of cybercrime cases in the state in 2025 as compared to 2024.

A total of 131 cyber fraud cases were registered in 2025, as compared to 85 cases in the previous year. Over the past three years, 298 cases were registered, and money has been recovered in 17 cases.

Goa police investigations into investment fraud cases has revealed that cyber cons often use fraudulent apps to cheat people on the pretext of good returns on investment.

Similarly, 442 web links, 168 social media accounts, and 866 mobile numbers were blocked by Goa police. A total of 103 cybercrime cases were pending investigation for more than six months.

Chief minister Pramod Sawant said the cyber crime staff is using the most advanced tools and portals for investigation such as Cyber Police, Sammanvay, Pratibimb, Sayog etc. Police stations conduct regular awareness drives to sensitise the public regarding prevalent cyber frauds.

Cyber fraudsters have so far cheated Goans to the tune of Rs 100 crore. Police said that this was just the official figure, but the actual amount could be much more.

Police investigations revealed that cyber fraudsters usually operate from abroad, making it difficult to arrest them.

Goa police have urged senior citizens to be more cautious while interacting with unknown people online, as a vast majority of victims of cyber fraud are retired people.

With the rise in cybercrime, state govt prepared a cyber crime awareness action plan that includes a cyber safety security curriculum in educational institutions from Class VI onwards. A senior official said the draft content will be provided by the police to the directorate of education.

State govt also prepared an action plan for 13 of its departments, including police, panchayats, PWD, education, and higher education, among others. Officers and staff of Goa police were trained to handle cyber-related offences, with regular training programmes conducted to enhance their expertise.

TOI reported in Jan 2026 that over 60% of cybercrime cases registered over the last five years have remained undetected. During this period, Goa police registered 441 cybercrime cases, and 170 were detected.