Mumbai: Maharashtra registered 10,505 cyber financial fraud cases between January 2025 and May 2026, with law enforcement agencies arresting 2,379 accused persons during the period, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the State Assembly.
In a written reply, Fadnavis said the state has witnessed a significant rise in cyber-enabled financial crimes, including digital arrest scams, online investment frauds, phishing attacks, fake application-based scams, and other forms of online cheating.
According to the data presented, Ahilyanagar emerged as one of the worst-affected districts, reporting 5,141 cyber fraud complaints in 2025 alone. The cases resulted in financial losses of Rs 37.76 crore, while authorities were able to freeze transactions worth Rs 7.02 crore through timely intervention.
The Chief Minister noted that senior citizens have been among the primary targets of digital arrest scams, where fraudsters impersonate officials and intimidate victims into transferring large sums of money. Several high-value cases have been investigated, including frauds involving a retired government employee from Kopargaon and a resident of Navi Mumbai. Arrests have been made in both cases and charge sheets have been filed.
Mumbai recorded 4,825 cyber fraud cases during 2025, with reported losses exceeding Rs 1,031 crore. Pune reported 536 cases involving nearly Rs 200 crore in losses between January and May 2026, while Nagpur registered 136 cases during the same period.
To strengthen cybercrime prevention and investigation capabilities, the state government has expanded its cyber security infrastructure through the Maharashtra Cyber Security Project based in Mahape, Navi Mumbai. The initiative is supported by district-level cyber laboratories and specialised police units across Maharashtra.
Fadnavis said the Maharashtra Cyber office has been placed under the supervision of the Director General of Police to improve coordination and response mechanisms. The government has also intensified public awareness efforts through social media campaigns, digital outreach programmes, railway station displays, and the national cybercrime helpline 1930 to educate citizens about online fraud and encourage prompt reporting.
Officials said cybercrime remains a growing challenge and urged citizens to exercise caution while sharing personal or financial information online.
