In a written reply during the ongoing session in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis revealed that Pune has witnessed a financial loss of ₹6,007 crore in 1,504 cybercrime cases in 2024, five times more than the combined data of Mumbai, Nagpur and Thane.
In total, 7,245 cyber fraud cases were registered last year across Pune, Mumbai, Thane and Nagpur, amounting to losses of ₹7,132 crore. Mumbai had the highest number of cases, with 4,849 incidents causing losses of ₹888 crore. Thane recorded 680 cases with ₹174 crore lost, while Nagpur saw 212 cases with losses of ₹63 crore.
Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Vivek Masal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber and Economic Offences), explained that Pune data appears high because of two cases of GST fraud worth ₹5,541 crore.
Discussing steps being taken to combat cybercrime, he said, "To combat cyber fraud cases, police are consistently working on it. Awareness programmes are being held in schools, colleges and private companies. Currently, a staff of 50 policemen, including 8 officers, have been deployed at Cyber Police Station in Pune. We also take help from private experts to solve the cases. We are in the process of increasing manpower with the addition of a new cyber police station in the city. Moreover, 26 cyber labs will be modernised within a month across the state, including one in Pune."
Masal emphasised that the banks should also take major steps for public awareness and proper KYC updates of consumers. "Proper KYC update of accounts could help identify the accused and lead to arrests. Only name, signature and photo is not a proper KYC update; banks need to understand that. Additionally, if any senior citizen is applying to withdraw more than a nominal amount, it should be verified by calling on the alternate number and asking them. This could be useful to stop them transferring a huge amount in a single transaction," he added.
Vishal Ovhal, a cyber expert, alleged that bank employees could be part of such crimes. "Bank employees could be involved in such crimes by sharing victims' documents with the third party. KYC of the bank account holder should be updated, but many banks ignore, which leads to difficulty in tracking the account transaction."
Meanwhile, the Pune Police Commissionerate has submitted a proposal to the state government requesting approval for the creation of an additional commissioner of police (ACP) position, along with six new deputy commissioners of police (DCP) posts.
To address the sharp rise in cybercrimes, the proposal also includes the establishment of two cyber police stations, one for the eastern division and another for the western division. Senior police officials have stated that once the home department approves, these new appointments will enhance policing efforts and reinforce law and order in the city.
