Cyber frauds from Southeast Asia cost Indians Rs 1,500 crore monthly: I4C report
These frauds are primarily linked to organised networks allegedly managed by Chinese operators and have cost people in India up to ₹1,500 crore per month, sources said on Sunday.
According to I4C data for the first half of 2025 (January to June), India has suffered online financial losses amounting to approximately ₹8,500 crore. Alarmingly, more than half of these losses are tied to cybercrime operations based in Southeast Asian nations.
On average, the data revealed that monthly cyber fraud-related losses to Indians in 2025 range between ₹1,300 crore and ₹1,500 crore.
However, the data for 2025 marks a noticeable decline compared to 2024, when the monthly average stood at around ₹2,200 crore. Sources said this decline is attributed to improved surveillance, international cooperation, and public awareness campaigns by the I4C.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
36 minutes ago
- Mint
Singapore eatery owner found dead day after accusing Indian woman of staging injury for compensation
In a tragic turn of events, a woman in Singapore died suddenly just a day after publicly accusing her Indian employee of faking a workplace injury to claim compensation. The incident has sparked widespread discussion in Singapore, with local authorities now treating her death as an 'unnatural' one and launching an investigation. Jane Lee, who owned a food outlet called Sumo Salad, had taken to Facebook just a day before her death to share detailed allegations against an Indian national, Sran Kiranjeet Kaur. Ms Lee accused Kaur of staging an injury towards the end of her employment contract, allegedly to claim compensation through Singapore's work injury system. According to reports by Channel News Asia (CNA), Ms Lee claimed that Kaur said she slipped and fell on an escalator while taking out rubbish, an incident Ms Lee believed was deliberately planned. In her post, she wrote, 'She was supposed to leave early that day. Instead, she stayed back and staged the incident.' Lee further alleged that the worker's husband, also from India, and a legal firm were involved in 'coaching' individuals on how to exploit workplace injury claims for monetary benefits. 'She would limp and exaggerate her condition in front of doctors, but I've seen her moving and working normally at other times,' Lee wrote, adding that she had video evidence to support her claims. She also alleged that small business owners, especially those without adequate insurance, were being 'targeted' by such fraudulent strategies. In her post, Lee urged Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the police to take action and prevent similar cases in the future. 'I fear I won't be the last,' she wrote. The Singapore Police Force has since confirmed they are treating Lee's death as unnatural, though the cause remains unknown at this stage. The Ministry of Manpower told CNA it is currently working with the company's insurer to assess the validity of the injury claim. 'MOM will not hesitate to act against anyone found abusing the Work Injury Compensation system,' the ministry said in a statement. 'Employers with concerns about fraudulent claims are encouraged to approach us.' Lee was reportedly in her 40s and left behind two children. Her Facebook posts and untimely death have stirred emotional reactions online, with many calling for a thorough investigation and greater scrutiny into work injury compensation processes, the media outlet reported.
India.com
36 minutes ago
- India.com
Massive Spike In Cybercrime Cases in India From 2018 To 2022: NCRB Data
Cybercrime Cases In India: Cybercrime in India has seen a steep rise of over 140 per cent in the past five years, with cases more than doubling between 2018 and 2022, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Tuesday. According to the latest report published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the number of cybercrime cases registered in 2018 was 27,248. This figure rose sharply to 65,893 in 2022, Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar said in response to a question in the Lok Sabha. These crimes include offences carried out using communication devices such as mobile phones, computers, and internet networks. However, the NCRB clarified that specific data related to complaints lodged by elderly citizens is not maintained separately. The Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that 'Police' and 'Public Order' fall under the responsibility of State Governments as per the Constitution. Therefore, the prevention and investigation of cyber crimes lie primarily with the States and Union Territories. However, the Central Government supports their efforts through advisories and funding under different schemes aimed at enhancing the capacity of local law enforcement agencies. To strengthen India's response to cybercrime, the Central Government has taken several steps. These include setting up the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), launching the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal ( and starting the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) in 2021. According to the Ministry, over Rs 5,489 crore has been saved through timely intervention in more than 17.82 lakh financial fraud complaints reported under CFCFRMS. To further help citizens, a 24x7 helpline number '1930' has also been operationalised. In addition, the government has blocked more than 9.42 lakh SIM cards and over 2.6 lakh mobile IMEIs involved in cybercrimes. Awareness campaigns have also been a major part of the government's strategy, the Minister of State explained. From caller tunes in multiple languages warning against digital scams to ads in Metros, newspapers, and cinema halls, various channels have been used to educate the public. 'Even the Prime Minister spoke about the dangers of 'digital arrests' in his 'Mann Ki Baat' address on October 27, 2024,' MoS Kumar stated. The Government has also involved social media influencers, Prasar Bharati, and events like Raahgiri and IPL to spread awareness. Campaigns have reached schools, railway stations, and even religious events like Kumbh Mela 2025.
News18
37 minutes ago
- News18
ISI-Khalistan Drug Nexus In Canada: A Geopolitical Crime Engine, Warn Intelligence Sources
Pakistan ISI is believed to have designed and now oversees a sophisticated narco-terrorism funding pipeline. The ISI–Khalistan drug nexus has evolved beyond a security threat into a multi-billion-dollar geopolitical industry, top intelligence sources have warned. These operations weaponise narcotics trafficking, diaspora politics, and Western legal loopholes to undermine India and its allies. According to intelligence officials, this syndicate is now acting as a powerful transnational cartel franchise under the strategic direction of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). ISI is believed to have designed and now oversees a sophisticated narco-terrorism funding pipeline. Intelligence sources assert this pipeline links Afghan heroin and Mexican cocaine through Canadian Khalistani extremists, using the proceeds to fund anti-India activities such as arms procurement, propaganda campaigns, and lobbying. A major breakthrough came during Project Pelican, where Canadian police seized 479 kilograms of Mexican cocaine worth $47.9 million. Intelligence officials confirmed the shipment was routed via US–Canada trucking networks, facilitated by Khalistani operatives acting on ISI guidance. Criminal Fronts with Political Camouflage One key figure identified by intelligence is Surrey-based gangster Opinder Sian, closely associated with pro-Khalistan groups. Sian allegedly ran a global methamphetamine network, importing Chinese chemical precursors via Peng Zhou, manufacturing in Canada, and exporting through Los Angeles. Intelligence sources revealed his collaboration with Irish, Italian, and Mexican cartels created a global narco-web. Afghan heroin, smuggled by ISI handlers, is being funneled through Khalistani networks in Canada. Intelligence inputs indicate these profits are used not only to fund Khalistan secessionist activities but also to support Taliban operations, forming a dual-purpose destabilisation model targeting both India and NATO interests. Canada's Infrastructure and Laws Enable the Nexus Intelligence reports highlight that Vancouver ports — receiving large volumes of Chinese goods — are central to this pipeline. Punjabi gangs dominate the trucking routes across the US border and exploit Canada's liberal laws protecting extremist speech to maintain cover. Intelligence assessments indicate that narcotics proceeds are laundered through a combination of real estate investments, gurdwara donations, separatist referendums, and protest events. The 2024 unveiling of a Tamil Eelam monument in Brampton was cited as an example of how extremist fundraising masquerades as ethnic activism. Political Shielding and Transnational Laundering The laundering infrastructure in Vancouver and Toronto includes underground banking, cash-heavy logistics firms, and family-run businesses tied to extremist ideologies. Cross-border trucking — dominated by Punjabi cartels — facilitates the movement of drugs and arms, with secure storage hubs in Toronto and Windsor. Intelligence agencies have also flagged ISI-linked financiers such as Haji Salim, a Dawood Ibrahim aide, as key intermediaries routing funds to both Khalistani and Tamil separatist groups. Political cover is allegedly secured by figures like Bilal Cheema, who, sources claim, has funneled money to Canadian politicians to shield the criminal-separatist alliance. According to top intelligence sources, pro-Khalistan lobbyists exploit Liberal Party patronage and immigration loopholes, embedding this ideological-criminal hybrid deep into Canada's political and economic ecosystem. First Published: July 23, 2025, 13:56 IST News world ISI-Khalistan Drug Nexus In Canada: A Geopolitical Crime Engine, Warn Intelligence Sources Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
