Cybercrime Drains ₹440 Crore from Navi Mumbai Residents — But Rising Awareness Offers Hope

Navi Mumbai: Behind every cybercrime statistic lies a story — a family saving for their child’s education, a retiree protecting his pension, a young professional investing hard-earned income. And in Navi Mumbai, thousands of such stories were shattered  as residents collectively lost a staggering ₹440 crore to online frauds.

According to the annual crime statistics released on Monday, ₹150.97 crore worth of cyber fraud cases were officially registered at various police stations across the city. Thanks to swift action by investigators, ₹41.32 crore was frozen before scammers could withdraw it, and ₹6.92 crore was successfully recovered and returned to victims.

But beyond police station reports, a much larger volume of complaints surfaced online. Cases worth ₹296.71 crore were lodged through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP), of which ₹27.53 crore was frozen in time.

The Dark Side of Digital Convenience

From investment scams and fake customer care calls to OTP frauds and phishing links, cybercriminals are becoming smarter — and faster. Many victims share the same painful sentiment:

“I never thought it would happen to me.”

Scammers no longer just target the elderly or the uneducated. They go after tech-savvy youth, small business owners, homemakers, and even working professionals, often exploiting trust more than technology.

Fighting Back — One Awareness Drive at a Time

Despite the alarming numbers, Navi Mumbai Police say things are changing — not just in crime reporting, but in crime prevention.

• Freezing of funds has improved significantly, thanks to rapid coordination between cyber cells and banks.

• Awareness programs in schools, housing societies, and corporate offices have helped people recognize scams faster.

• More victims are reporting fraud immediately, allowing authorities to act before money disappears abroad.

A Shared Responsibility

Cybercrime isn’t just a policing challenge — it’s a social battle. Every forwarded link, every too-good-to-be-true offer, and every unknown caller offering help could be a trap. But awareness can save lives — and livelihoods.

What You Can Do to Stay Safe

• Never share OTPs or click on unknown links.

• Verify all investment or loan offers through official channels.

• Use 1930 — the National Cyber Fraud Helpline — to report immediately.

• Educate family members, especially seniors and teenagers.

As the digital world grows, so does digital danger. But with vigilance, education, and timely reporting, Navi Mumbai can turn the tide — ensuring that technology works for us, not against us.