Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with a sharp rise in cybercrimes, as an increasing number of cases are reported each year. While the growing threat poses significant challenges, law enforcement agencies have stepped up their efforts, introducing measures to combat cybercrimes and raise awareness among the public.
Officials attribute the surge in cybercrime to the growing reliance on digital technology, which has opened new avenues for fraud. Common scams such as investment frauds, fake credit card schemes, online KYC frauds, and impersonation have become widespread. Cybercriminals are also employing AI-powered tools to execute more sophisticated phishing attacks and deploy ransomware, defrauding victims of substantial sums of money.
“Cybercrimes often involve complex digital trails, and our Investigating Officers (IOs) are being trained to handle these cases effectively,” said Iftikhar Talib, SP Cyber Police Kashmir. “We’re also collaborating with other state agencies to share knowledge and resources to strengthen our response.”
Cybercrime cases in J&K have seen a noticeable uptick in recent years. In 2020, 120 cases were reported, leading to 33 arrests and 23 chargesheets. The following year saw a rise to 154 cases, with 102 arrests and 60 chargesheets. In 2022, the number of cases rose to 173, with 76 arrests. By 2023, the Kashmir Cyber Police registered 39 FIRs, resolved 583 cases through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP), and recovered ₹2 crore.
In 2024, the Kashmir Cyber Police Station received 577 complaints, registered 30 FIRs, and made 31 arrests. Authorities also seized 150 mobile phones, blocked 1,833 fraudulent SIM cards, and recovered ₹4.6 crore. In addition, 920 financial complaints and 580 social media-related complaints were addressed.
“The scams are getting more convincing, and it’s becoming harder to distinguish between real and fake offers,” said Latif, a local entrepreneur who recently fell victim to an online fraud, losing a significant amount of money.
Despite these efforts, the conviction rate for cybercrimes remains low. Experts point to the specialized skills required for cybercrime investigations as a major challenge. Digital evidence is often spread across multiple platforms and jurisdictions, requiring careful analysis to ensure its admissibility in court. The cross-border nature of many cybercrimes complicates matters further, as perpetrators frequently operate from different regions or even countries, making it difficult to trace them and collect sufficient evidence.
To address these challenges, authorities are enhancing the capabilities of their cybercrime units by providing specialized training to investigators.
In addition, authorities are exploring the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in the fight against cybercrime. While AI is being used by cybercriminals to automate attacks such as phishing, ransomware, and deepfake impersonation scams, it also offers significant benefits to law enforcement. AI-powered tools can quickly analyze large datasets, helping investigators identify patterns and anomalies indicative of a cyberattack. Furthermore, AI-driven systems are improving digital forensics by processing vast amounts of evidence and revealing hidden connections between perpetrators, thereby enhancing the chances of successful prosecutions.
The surge in cybercrimes highlights the urgent need for greater public awareness. Many people in the region remain unaware of the risks associated with online activities, making them vulnerable to scams. “We need more public education about the dangers of online scams,” said Zaid, a resident of Hyderpora. “Most people, especially the elderly, don’t know how to spot a scam. They trust these calls and emails, thinking they are legitimate.”
Fraudulent schemes such as fake job offers, fraudulent credit card customer care calls, and fake investment opportunities have led to significant financial losses. Amir, a victim of online fraud, shared, “I was tricked by a fraudulent call offering a loan. I ended up transferring money to a fake account, believing I was processing the loan. By the time I realized it was a scam, it was already too late.”
In response, authorities are expanding public education campaigns to help citizens recognize common scams and protect their personal information.
