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<p data-start="78" data-end="264"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Chennai has witnessed a sharp spike in financial cybercrimes, with residents losing a staggering ₹218.5 crore between January and May 2025, according to data from Greater Chennai Police.</span></p>
<p data-start="266" data-end="425"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">A total of 4,357 cybercrime complaints were filed in this five-month period &mdash; an increase of nearly 500 cases compared to 3,888 in the same duration last year.</span></p>
<p data-start="427" data-end="681"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Despite the surge, city police were able to freeze ₹48 crore from fraudulent transactions and have returned ₹10.45 crore to victims after legal procedures. In comparison, only ₹6.52 crore was recovered from ₹182 crore lost during the same period in 2024.</span></p>
<p data-start="683" data-end="983"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Officials credited the improved recovery rate to a 2024 Madras High Court directive stating that registering a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) is sufficient to begin reversing frozen funds. Chennai Police have since streamlined the process to assist victims efficiently.</span></p>
<p data-start="985" data-end="1176"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">However, authorities stressed that timing is key. &ldquo;The golden hour &mdash; the first few hours after the fraud &mdash; is critical to freeze stolen funds and increase recovery chances,&rdquo; an official said.</span></p>
<p data-start="1178" data-end="1417"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">So far this year, 59 people have been arrested for financial cybercrimes &mdash; 42 from Tamil Nadu and 17 from other states. Common scams include online trading frauds, fake part-time job offers, and impersonation scams such as digital arrests.</span></p>
<p data-start="1419" data-end="1689"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">To tackle the rising menace, Chennai Police have launched public awareness drives targeting students, professionals, and the general public. Outreach initiatives include campus talks, workplace sessions, and short films featuring Tamil actors Yogi Babu and Ashok Selvan.</span></p>
<p data-start="1691" data-end="1978"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Commissioner A. Arun urged citizens to remain cautious and to report any suspicious activity immediately. For financial frauds, citizens can call the helpline 1930, file a complaint at <a class="" href="http://www.cybercrime.gov.in" target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="1876" data-end="1929">www.cybercrime.gov.in</a>, or visit the nearest cybercrime police station.</span></p>
<p data-start="1980" data-end="2095" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&ldquo;Acting quickly can be the difference between recovering your money or losing it forever,&rdquo; the Commissioner warned.</span></p>
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Sharp rise in cyber fraud cases; police recover ₹10 Cr, urge citizens to report scams swiftly

Chennai loses ₹218 Cr to cybercrime in 5 months

Sharp rise in cyber fraud cases; police recover ₹10 Cr, urge citizens to report scams swiftly

June 19, 2025 | 17:41 IST