Chandigarh: Residents lost nearly ₹48.9 crore to cyber fraud between January and August 2026, while police managed to freeze or place a lien on ₹12.2 crore, according to information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The data highlights the rising financial toll of online fraud in the Union Territory.
Chandigarh Police received 4,548 cybercrime complaints during the eight-month period, registered 149 FIRs and arrested 92 accused. Investigators also solved 45 cases, with arrests made across West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Haryana.
Investment fraud emerged as the leading category, accounting for 31 FIRs. Fake gas connection scams followed with 23 cases, while malicious APK-related frauds resulted in 16 FIRs. Police also registered 11 impersonation cases and five digital arrest cases.
Digital arrest fraud alone accounted for losses of ₹5.4 crore across five FIRs, while 27 related complaints were received. Other major categories included debit and credit card fraud, with 710 complaints, and OLX-related scams, which generated 549 complaints. Another 610 complaints involved fraudulent transactions through social media platforms.
The losses recorded in the first eight months of 2026 have already surpassed the ₹38.1 crore reported throughout 2025. During that year, police received 5,983 complaints, registered 153 FIRs and arrested 148 people, while freezing ₹8.1 crore.
Meanwhile, Chandigarh Cyber Police is working on a mechanism to facilitate refunds of frozen funds to victims within two weeks. Officials have urged residents to report fraudulent transactions immediately through the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or the nearest police station.
Police have cautioned citizens against suspicious links, unsolicited calls and investment offers promising unusually high returns.
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