Bhubaneswar, December 8: Odisha has witnessed a significant rise in cyber crimes, with 3,486 victims losing more than Rs 222 crore in just 16 months, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the assembly on Monday. Among the victims, 69 were targeted by 'digital arrest' scams.

In response to a question by Congress MLA Rama Chandra Kadam, Majhi revealed that cyber criminals defrauded people of Rs 2,220,978,647, out of which Rs 6,136,381 was refunded, and Rs 67,409,434 was frozen in the fraudsters’ accounts.

During this period, 727 individuals were arrested for alleged cyber crimes, and 104 chargesheets were filed. However, authorities acknowledged that recovery rates remain low, mainly due to delayed reporting of incidents. Police emphasized the importance of quick action, urging victims to report cyber frauds immediately by calling 1930 or visiting the national cybercrime portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) to freeze fraud accounts and prevent further transfers.

Investigators face challenges such as the use of mule accounts, rapid fund transfers, and a lack of coordination between banks and police. Fraudsters also exploit pre-activated SIM cards and digital currencies, making tracking and recovery difficult. Many victims are unaware of the available reporting tools, often hesitating to approach the authorities.