Losing money to cybercrime can take just one phone call, one message or one online transaction. Getting it back, however, is proving far more difficult. In the first seven months of 2026, Bengalureans lost a whopping `558.02 crore to cybercriminals, but only `1.91 crore was returned to victims.
In simple terms, for every `100 lost, victims recovered just 34 paise. The recovery rate, which stood at nearly `10 for every `100 lost in 2024, has collapsed sharply over the years, according to figures presented in the Karnataka Legislative Council.
The data, submitted in response to a question on cybercrime in Bengaluru, shows that the city recorded 33,305 cybercrime cases between 2024 and July 2026, with residents losing a total of approximately `4,156.40 crore. However, only around `262.23 crore was returned to victims during the period. The recovery situation has worsened every year. In 2024, Bengaluru recorded 17,890 cybercrime cases, and victims lost `1,841.73 crore. Of this, `257.76 crore was frozen or seized, while `183.65 crore was returned to victims. The amount returned was equivalent to 9.97 per cent of the total money lost — or approximately `9.97 for every `100 lost.
In 2025, the number of cases fell to 10,703, a decline of around 40.2 per cent compared to the previous year. However, the decline in the number of cases did not bring down the financial damage significantly. Victims lost `1,756.65 crore, only 4.6 per cent less than the amount lost in 2024. The police froze or seized `158.51 crore, while `76.67 crore was returned to victims. The recovery rate fell to 4.36 per cent, meaning victims got back only around `4.36 for every `100 lost.
The figures for 2026 are even more alarming. In just the first seven months of the year, Bengaluru registered 4,712 cybercrime cases, with victims losing `558.02 crore. Authorities froze or seized `35.93 crore, but only `1.91 crore was returned to victims. This works out to a recovery rate of just 0.34 per cent — or barely 34 paise for every `100 lost. The decline is stark when the three periods are compared. The recovery rate fell from 9.97 per cent in 2024 to 4.36 per cent in 2025, a drop of more than half. It then plunged further to 0.34 per cent between January and July 2026. In other words, the amount returned to victims declined from nearly `10 for every `100 lost in 2024 to less than `1 in 2026.
The data also show that cybercrime is becoming more financially damaging even though the number of reported cases has declined. The average loss per case rose from approximately `10.3 lakh in 2024 to `16.4 lakh in 2025, an increase of nearly 59 per cent. This indicates that large-value cyber frauds are contributing significantly to the city’s overall losses.
Responding to the question, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the government was strengthening the cybercrime investigation system through specialised manpower, technical equipment and forensic support. “The government has appointed eight technical experts to the Bengaluru City Police unit, including six digital forensic investigators and two cyber security analysts. Necessary technical equipment has been provided to CEN police stations, and officers and staff are being given training to conduct cybercrime investigations using modern electronic and technical tools,” he said. Kharge said the Cyber Forensic Unit of the CID is functioning under the supervision of senior officers and providing technical assistance to police stations across Karnataka. Digital laboratories have also been established to analyse electronic evidence related to cybercrime cases. “The State Cyber Forensic Laboratory in Bengaluru has capabilities in mobile forensics, network forensics and malware analysis. The government said advanced tools, including Magnet AXIOM, Belkasoft, Cellebrite UFED and Oxygen Forensic Detective, are being used to assist investigations. Regional forensic laboratories are also being utilised to strengthen investigative capacity”, he added.
Kharge added that steps were being taken to stop fraudulent transactions during the crucial “Golden Hour” immediately after a complaint is received. The government is also using modern technology, providing specialised training to police personnel and taking measures to expedite the disposal of pending cybercrime cases.
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