Despite ongoing cyber safety campaigns, Coimbatore residents fell victim to cyber fraud, losing a significant Rs 87.16 crore in 2025. The city police reported receiving 9,960 complaints, with 7,779 cases related to online financial fraud like phishing and fake links. Only Rs 7.65 crore of the total loss was recovered, indicating a recovery rate below 10%.
In 2025, 60 individuals were arrested in connection with cybercrimes, and eight were detained under the Goondas Act. This marked an increase from the previous year when 50 offenders were arrested, with nine detained under the same Act. Fraudsters exploit trust in official systems, as seen in cases where victims were tricked by fake traffic violation notices to download malicious applications.
One victim shared how a seemingly authentic traffic fine message led to a Rs 1 lakh loss from their bank account. Emphasizing the importance of bank cooperation, a senior cybercrime officer highlighted the significance of timely sharing of transaction details for effective investigations. The officer also stressed the need for stricter Know Your Customer (KYC) norms to prevent financial cybercrimes.
Authorities advised the public to refrain from downloading apps from unknown sources, verify official messages’ authenticity, and report any suspected fraud promptly to enhance recovery possibilities.
