Gujarat To Launch ATS-Style Cyber Crime Unit Amid Surge In Online Fraud Cases

Gandhinagar: In a decisive move to combat the alarming rise in online fraud, the Gujarat government has announced the establishment of a specialised ATS-style cyber crime unit. The state-of-the-art unit will be headquartered in Gandhinagar and is aimed at detecting, preventing, and rapidly responding to cyber offences that have been plaguing the state at record levels.

According to official data presented in the Lok Sabha, Gujarat has registered 23,784 cyber fraud cases since 2020-21 — averaging 13 cases daily and one complaint every two hours. In 2023 alone, the state’s cybercrime helpline (1930) received 1,21,701 calls, or one call every four minutes.

“Cybercrime is evolving faster than traditional law enforcement structures,” said a source close to the development. “Scams are no longer random — they are orchestrated with the sophistication of terror or drug syndicates. This unit will be our answer to such threats.”

Modern Infrastructure and Expert Manpower

The new unit will operate as Gujarat’s central cybercrime investigation hub, complete with cutting-edge forensics labs, high-speed data analytics systems, and AI-powered fraud detection tools. The government has already allocated a dedicated budget for purchasing the most advanced equipment.

Currently, cybercrime cases are handled by district-level cyber cells, which often struggle due to a lack of expert manpower and technology. “Cases often get delayed, giving criminals time to vanish. The new unit will ensure cases are transferred, investigated, and cracked within days, not months,” the official added.

Why the Urgent Need?

Online scams in Gujarat range from fake investment offers to “digital arrest” rackets where victims are coerced into paying large sums under threats of fabricated criminal charges. The state’s growing economy and rising personal incomes have made it a lucrative hunting ground for fraudsters.

In the last five years, cybercrime in Gujarat has caused financial losses of ₹17 crore, with an average of ₹7,147 lost per case. Alarmingly, 45% of the total loss occurred in just the 2023-24 period, totalling ₹7.73 crore.

“This is not just about financial loss,” the cyber law expert explained. “Such crimes erode public trust in digital transactions, slowing the pace of digital India.”

Unit’s Planned Operations

Statewide Coordination: Serve as the nodal agency for cybercrime investigation.

Rapid Response Strike Teams: Capable of freezing fraudulent transactions within hours.

Capacity Building: Training district police in cyber forensics and digital evidence handling.

Public-Private Partnerships: Paid cybersecurity audits and awareness drives for companies and banks.

The operational deadline is set for March 2026, with recruitment of specialised officers — including SPs, DySPs, and PIs under IG/DIG leadership — beginning in December 2025.

National Context

India’s cybercrime surge is not unique to Gujarat. Data shows Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number of cyber fraud complaints in 2024-25 with 37,497 cases, followed by Maharashtra (31,658) and Haryana (23,861). Maharashtra also suffered the highest financial loss at ₹27.44 crore.

Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, presenting the data in Parliament, emphasised the urgency of state-level specialised units to address cybercrime in coordination with central agencies.

Public Awareness Will Be Key

Experts stress that technology alone cannot solve the cybercrime crisis. “Half the battle is public education — people need to recognise scams before they fall victim,” said a cybersecurity consultant.

The Gujarat cyber crime unit will reportedly run statewide campaigns to teach citizens how to detect phishing, investment fraud, and app-based loan scams, alongside improving reporting mechanisms.