Cybercrime is emerging as a significant financial threat in Coimbatore district, with residents reporting losses of around ₹36.23 crore during a nine-month period, according to district police data. Among the different types of online fraud reported, investment and trading scams accounted for the largest financial loss.
The data also highlights how cybercriminals are using multiple methods, ranging from fake online shopping platforms and loan applications to malicious APK files, phishing attempts and impersonation-based scams.
More Than 4,500 Cybercrime Complaints Recorded
Coimbatore District (Rural) Police recorded 4,535 cybercrime complaints during the nine-month period.
Of these, 2,078 complaints were received through the national cybercrime helpline 1930, while another 2,457 were submitted through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
The complaint figures show that online fraud is not limited to a single method. Victims reported incidents involving shopping platforms, investment schemes, loan applications, employment offers, social media interactions and impersonation scams.
Online Shopping Fraud Recorded the Highest Number of Complaints
E-commerce and online purchase-related cheating accounted for 917 complaints, making it the largest category by complaint volume.
Loan application scams followed with 415 complaints, while 276 cases were linked to fraudulent job offers. Police also recorded 259 complaints involving APK-based scams and 201 complaints related to calls from unknown or misleading numbers.
Other reported categories included matrimonial-related fraud, online gambling, credit-card scams, investment and trading fraud, and social-media-related cybercrime.
Investment and trading scams accounted for 162 complaints, while social-media fraud was reported in 151 cases.
Investment Scams Caused the Largest Financial Damage
Although investment and trading fraud represented a smaller number of complaints compared with online shopping fraud, they resulted in the highest reported monetary loss.
Police data showed losses of approximately ₹15.74 crore from investment and trading-related scams.
Online shopping and e-commerce fraud resulted in losses of around ₹7.77 crore, followed by job-related fraud at approximately ₹3.31 crore.
APK-related scams caused losses of nearly ₹1.07 crore, while credit-card fraud accounted for more than ₹1.04 crore.
Taken together, the reported categories resulted in financial losses of approximately ₹36.23 crore during the period.
The figures also demonstrate why examining the flow of money and identifying the accounts or entities receiving fraudulent payments can become an important part of a cybercrime investigation. In relevant financial cases, Financial Investigation can involve examining transaction trails and financial records to understand how funds moved.
Police Warn Against Multiple Digital Fraud Techniques
Coimbatore police have cautioned residents about several commonly used cybercrime techniques.
UPI and QR-code scams can involve criminals convincing victims to scan a QR code or make a payment under a false pretext. A QR code associated with receiving money is also sometimes misrepresented as a method for sending or verifying a payment.
OTP fraud generally involves impersonation. Criminals may pose as bank representatives, officials or service providers and attempt to obtain one-time passwords or other confidential information.
Phishing attacks can use fake websites, emails, text messages or links designed to obtain passwords, banking information or other personal details.
Credit and debit-card fraud can similarly involve the misuse of card numbers, CVV information and other payment credentials.
Fake Investment Platforms Continue to Be a Major Risk
Investment scams can be particularly damaging because fraudsters often attempt to build trust before asking victims to transfer larger amounts.
A common pattern involves promises of unusually high or quick returns. Victims may initially see what appears to be an increase in their investment through a website or application. Later, they may be asked to deposit additional money on the pretext of taxes, fees, verification or withdrawal charges.
Police data from Coimbatore shows that these schemes can result in substantially higher financial losses than many other categories of cybercrime.
Fake Shopping and Loan Applications Also Target Users
Online shopping scams may use websites, social-media pages or advertisements that appear to offer genuine products. After receiving payment, the operators may fail to deliver the product or become unreachable.
Loan-related fraud can work differently. Fraudulent applications may be used to collect personal information, demand advance payments or otherwise deceive applicants seeking financial assistance.
Because these services can initially appear genuine, users should verify the identity of websites, applications and service providers before sharing sensitive information or making payments.
Digital Arrest Scams Rely on Fear and Impersonation
Police have also warned about so-called digital arrest scams, in which criminals impersonate police officers, government officials or other authorities.
Victims may be falsely told that their bank accounts, identity documents or other credentials are connected to a criminal investigation. The fraudsters then create pressure by threatening legal action and demanding money in the name of verification or settlement.
The authorities have repeatedly advised people not to transfer money simply because someone claims to represent law enforcement or another government agency.
What to Do After a Cyber Fraud
Speed is particularly important when money has been lost through an online scam.
People who become victims of financial cybercrime should report the incident as quickly as possible through the 1930 cybercrime helpline or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Victims should also preserve relevant evidence, including transaction details, messages, phone numbers, screenshots, website addresses and other communication connected with the incident.
People should remain particularly cautious when receiving unexpected requests involving KYC updates, OTPs, QR codes, APK files, banking information, investment opportunities or urgent payment demands.
The Coimbatore figures show that cyber fraud is taking multiple forms, but the financial impact can be especially severe when victims are drawn into fraudulent investment schemes. Early reporting and careful verification of digital requests can help reduce the risk of further losses.