Bengaluru Tops Metro Cities in Cybercrime Cases in 2024

Key Facts

• Bengaluru recorded 17,561 cybercrime cases in 2024, the highest among metropolitan cities in India.
• The cybercrime rate in Bengaluru was 206.6 cases per one lakh population in 2024.
• Fraud accounted for 16,842 cases and computer offences for 17,310 cases in Bengaluru.
• Bengaluru's charge-sheeting rate in cybercrime cases was 24.2% in 2024, with 5,096 accused persons charge-sheeted.
• Karnataka reported 21,993 cybercrime cases in 2024, making it the leading state in cybercrime registrations.
• India experienced a total of 1,01,928 cybercrime cases in 2024, marking a 17.9% increase compared to 86,420 cases in 2023.
• Among metropolitan cities, Mumbai (4,939), Hyderabad (4,009), and Chennai (1,882) followed Bengaluru in cybercrime numbers.
• Delhi saw a decline in cybercrime cases over recent years.

Background & Context

Cybercrime includes offences committed using computers, digital devices, networks, or online platforms. Bengaluru, as India's tech capital, naturally has high exposure to cyber-related activity, resulting in the high number of cases. The NCRB's 2024 Crime in India report indicates that while overall crime rates have declined nationally, cybercrime has surged notably. Fraud is the dominant motive behind cyber offences nationally and in Bengaluru. Bengaluru has 11 dedicated cybercrime police stations and a specialized cybercrime wing operated by the CID to address this challenge. The charge-sheeting rate reflects the proportion of cases where police have completed investigations and filed charges, with Bengaluru's relatively low 24.2% highlighting the complexity in prosecuting cybercrimes.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

For competitive exams, knowledge of crime statistics and trends is vital, especially in sections on current affairs, governance, and law enforcement. Bengaluru's status as the highest metro city for cybercrime is often queried to test candidates' awareness of state-specific data and cybercrime trends. Understanding the predominance of fraud and the implications of charge-sheeting rates aids in comprehending the challenges facing law enforcement against cyber threats across India.

Points to Remember

• Bengaluru reported 17,561 cybercrime cases in 2024, the highest among Indian metros.
• Its cybercrime rate was 206.6 per one lakh population, highest among metros.
• Fraud constituted the majority (16,842 cases) of cybercrime in Bengaluru.
• Charge-sheeting rate for Bengaluru cybercrime cases was 24.2% (5,096 accused charge-sheeted).
• Karnataka led states with 21,993 cybercrime cases in 2024.
• India saw a 17.9% increase in cybercrime cases in 2024, totaling 1,01,928.
• Bengaluru has 11 dedicated cybercrime police stations and a specialized cybercrime wing by CID.
• Other metro cities with notable cybercrime cases include Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai.