Mumbai: Cyber crime cases on rise but detection sees dip

An officer from the cyber police attributed the rise in the number of cases to more people coming forward to register complaints.

An officer from the cyber police attributed the rise in the number of cases to more people coming forward to register complaints. (Representational Image)

CYBER CRIME has become a growing threat as authorities grapple with the enormity and diversity of such crimes, data suggests. Crimes under the Information Technology (IT) Act — often referred to as cyber crimes — have gone up by almost eight times in the state over the past five years. Incidentally, Mumbai topped a list of 19 metropolitan cities with a population of over 20 lakh for recording the most number of cyber crimes in 2016, according to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). In 2012, a total of 561 cyber crime cases were registered in the state. In 2017, however, the total number of cases rose to 4,035, according to statistics tabled by the government in the Budget session.

Meanwhile, detection rate has only dipped. In 2012, 351 of the 561 cases registered were detected by the police with a detection percentage of 62.57. In 2017, however, the police managed to solve 1,037 of the 4,035 cases with a detection rate of only 25.70 per cent. Even when it came to conviction, over the years the performance of the police has gone down – the conviction rate has dropped from 20 per cent in 2012 to 16.67 per cent in 2017.

An officer from the cyber police attributed the rise in the number of cases to more people coming forward to register complaints. “Conviction rate is an issue. However, now that we have trained officers at the police station-level and have a separate cyber wing we are expecting both detection and conviction rates to improve,” the officer said.

Mohamed Thaver

Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems. Experience & Authority Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field. Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus. Key Beats: Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch. Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force. Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict. Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations. Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed. Credentials & Trustworthiness Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order. He tweets @thaver_mohamed ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram