Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, and Bharatpur, Rajasthan, have bypassed Jamtara, Jharkhand, and Nuh, Haryana, marking a new shift in the major hubs for cybercrime in India. This information is a key finding of a study conducted by the Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF), an IIT Kanpur-incubated non-profit start-up. 

Snapshot of the Study 

The study titled A Deep Dive Into Cybercrime Trends Impacting India revealed that the top 10 districts are accountable for 80 per cent of the country's cybercrime. Here are the major contributors to this figure: 

  • Bharatpur: 18 per cent
  • Mathura: 12 per cent
  • Nuh: 11 per cent
  • Deoghar: 10 per cent
  • Jamtara: 9.6 per cent
  • Gurugram: 8.1 per cent
  • Alwar: 5.1 per cent
  • Bokaro: 2.4 per cent
  • Karma Tand: 2.4 per cent
  • Giridih: 2.3 percent

"Our analysis focuses on the top 10 districts in India that are most prone to cybercrime. As identified in the white paper, understanding the key factors contributing to cybercrime in these districts is essential for devising effective prevention and mitigation strategies," said FCRF co-founder Harshvardhan Singh.

Anatomy of Crime Hubs 

Singh's analysis highlights various factors that contribute to the prominence of these districts as cybercrime hotspots. Proximity to urban centres, inadequate cybersecurity infrastructure, economic difficulties, and low levels of digital literacy all contribute to the issue. 

Addressing these elements through awareness campaigns, the allocation of law enforcement resources, and educational initiatives could be key to reducing the elevated cybercrime rates in these districts, enhancing the overall cybersecurity landscape in India, added Singh. 

However, the study does not only focus on existing crime hubs. It also points out that emerging new hotspots require the same proactive approach as the established ones continue to pose a significant threat. 

  • These new areas witness a rise in various forms of digital criminal activity, often catching both law enforcement agencies and the general public off guard.
  • The study attributes this rising wave of crimes to several factors such as low technical barriers for entry, availability of hacking tools, malware, and inadequate verification processes on online platforms.
  • VPNs and affordable AI-driven cyber-attack tools further empower criminals by offering anonymity and automation in their illicit activities.
  • The study further explains how the inadequacy of Know Your Customer (KYC) and other verification processes on various online platforms have actually facilitated the rise of cybercrimes. This flaw in the system enables criminals to easily create fake identities and continue operating under the radar, proving to be a massive hurdle for law enforcement agencies in their bid to trace these cyber felons. 

Finally, the report emphasizes the social aspect of this issue. It notes that unemployed or underemployed individuals, who are recruited and trained by cybercrime syndicates, form a significant portion of potential criminals.

Mathura

What are the specific cybercrimes that have been reported in Mathura and Bharatpur?

Mathura and Bharatpur in India are notorious for cybercrime. Mathura sees crimes like online fraud, phishing scams, and hacking. Criminals deceive people, collect their personal and financial data, and misuse it for illegal activities. 

Bharatpur is marred by online harassment, cyberbullying, and online scams. Individuals and especially youth are tormented through social sites and tricked into making financial transactions or sharing personal details with scammers. 

Online identity theft is rampant in both cities. Criminals steal personal information for financial fraud, causing victims financial and reputational harm. Cyberstalking, where victims suffer continuous online harassment, is also present. The rise in such cybercrimes underscores the need for better cybersecurity and awareness in the cities.

How To Protect Yourself 

Your safety online is most important. Here are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of being a victim of cybercrime. 

  1. Use Strong Passwords: Your passwords should always be strong and hard to guess, include combinations of numbers, special characters, and both uppercase and lowercase letters.
  2. Install Reliable Antivirus Software: Keeping your device protected with a reliable antivirus software can go a long way in preventing cyber attacks.
  3. Be Wary of Unknown Emails and Messages: Phishing attempts begin with a simple click on a suspicious email or message. Stay vigilant, and never click on unsolicited or strange-looking links.
  4. Update Your Devices Regularly: Regular software updates ensure that your devices are armored with the latest security defenses against cyber threats.

These are just a few basic steps you can take. Cybersecurity is a vast domain, and awareness is key. Stay informed, stay safe.

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