Cybercrime complaints in India have risen sharply over the past six years, but only a small share have resulted in FIRs. Nearly 53.93 lakh complaints were recorded between 2019 and 2024, while FIRs were registered in about 1.30 lakh cases, or roughly 2.4% of the total.
The figures highlight a widening gap between the number of cybercrime complaints being received and the number being formally registered as police cases.
How Fast Have Cybercrime Complaints Risen?
The number of cybercrime complaints increased from 26,049 in 2019 to 20,33,316 in 2024.
In 2020, 2,55,745 complaints were recorded, followed by 4,52,429 in 2021. The number rose further to 10,29,026 in 2022 and 15,96,488 in 2023 before crossing 20 lakh in 2024.
Taken together, 53.93 lakh complaints were recorded during the six-year period, showing a steep rise in reported cybercrime.
Proposal for Conducting Cyber Crisis Drill, Tabletop Exercise (TTEx) & CCMP Readiness Exercise
How Many Complaints Became FIRs?
FIR registration remained considerably lower than the number of complaints received.
In 2019, 1,032 FIRs were registered against 26,049 complaints. The number increased to 4,999 FIRs against 2,55,745 complaints in 2020 and 11,304 FIRs against 4,52,429 complaints in 2021.
There were 21,379 FIRs against 10,29,026 complaints in 2022 and 42,130 FIRs against 15,96,488 complaints in 2023.
In 2024, 49,582 FIRs were registered against 20,33,316 complaints. Across the six years, around 1.30 lakh FIRs were registered, accounting for roughly 2.4% of all complaints.
Why Is the FIR Gap a Concern?
Questions have been raised over the large difference between cybercrime complaints and cases formally registered by police.
Concerns were also raised that police sometimes record only a daily diary or general diary entry instead of registering an FIR. Such a practice can result in serious offences not being fully reflected in crime records and may affect the relief available to victims.
Delays in follow-up action after complaints are made through cybercrime helpline 1930 and the online cybercrime reporting system were also identified as an issue.
Why Is Cybercrime Data Delayed?
Another concern is the delay in compiling updated crime statistics. Data sent by states for national crime records can take around one-and-a-half to two years to be reflected.
Such delays can leave authorities relying on older figures while making decisions on security policies, policing requirements and budgets.
More timely data would provide a clearer picture of changing cybercrime patterns and help authorities respond to emerging threats.
What Changes Have Been Suggested?
A uniform system for registering and disposing of cybercrime complaints across states has been sought.
There is also a call for fixed timelines within which action should be taken and complaints resolved. Such a system could reduce differences in the handling of cybercrime complaints across states.
Making a cyber-security course mandatory at the initial stage of police recruitment has also been proposed to strengthen the ability of personnel to deal with technology-driven offences.
Why Are Complaints Rising So Quickly?
The figures show that cybercrime complaints are no longer increasing gradually. Annual complaints climbed from 26,049 in 2019 to more than 20 lakh in 2024, reflecting how rapidly the volume of reported online offences has expanded.
The increase also places greater pressure on police and complaint-handling systems, particularly when the number of FIRs remains far below the number of complaints received.
What Needs to Change in Cyber Policing?
The growing volume of complaints has brought attention to how prepared police personnel are to handle technology-driven offences. Mandatory cyber-security training at the initial stage of police recruitment has been proposed as one way to strengthen that capacity.
A common system for handling complaints across states, along with defined timelines for action and resolution, has also been sought so that victims do not face widely different processes depending on where they report an offence.
Why Does Better Reporting Matter?
Accurate and timely crime records are important for deciding where police stations, CCTV coverage, personnel and other security resources are required.
With cybercrime complaints rising sharply, the figures point to the need for faster complaint handling, consistent registration practices, updated crime data and stronger cyber-security training within the police system.
The420 View
The sharp rise in complaints shows that reporting cybercrime is only the first step. When more than 53 lakh complaints are recorded in six years but only a small share result in FIRs, the challenge is also about what happens after a victim reports the crime.
Faster action, consistent complaint handling and stronger cyber training for police will be crucial as online offences continue to grow.
About the author — Ayesha Aayat writes on cybercrime, digital safety, and emerging online threats. Her work focuses on public awareness, legal clarity, and technology-driven risks.
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