Tripura Police has raised the alarm over the rising tide of cybercrime, urging citizens to adopt strict online safety measures. Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag revealed that since 2021, fraudsters have duped people in the state of a staggering ₹51.49 crore, while police have managed to recover just ₹33.84 lakh. Over 20,000 bank accounts linked to scams have been frozen.
Addressing a cyber safety workshop for journalists, the DGP said criminals are using new-age cyber fraud techniques, including fake electricity and gas bills, forged challans, fraudulent investment offers, impersonation of officials, OTP theft, fake franchise deals, lottery frauds, OLX scams, hotel booking and courier frauds, and even deepfake-based blackmail.
Highlighting the scale of the problem, he cited cases where a victim lost ₹2.3 crore in an investment racket, while another was cheated of ₹18 lakh through a fake franchise scheme.
Cybercrime-related financial losses have escalated sharply over the years: ₹1.98 crore in 2021, ₹4.62 crore in 2022, ₹9 crore in 2023, and a record ₹25.54 crore in 2024. In the first seven months of 2025 alone, scams worth ₹9.77 crore have already been reported.
DGP Anurag noted that fraudsters often operate from outside Tripura or even from abroad, making detection and recovery challenging. He also stressed that delays in reporting by victims further enable criminals to move funds quickly.
The DGP strongly advised citizens to strengthen their digital security by using strong passwords, installing verified security apps, and avoiding suspicious links or calls. He urged victims of cyber fraud to report immediately via the national cyber helpline 1930 or the nearest police station, stressing that timely action is key to blocking fraudulent transactions.
“Cyber awareness is the first line of defense. The police alone cannot fight this battle — citizens, journalists, and civil society must work together to ensure a safer digital ecosystem,” Anurag said.