AP Sees Rise In Cybercrimes; 2,528 Cases Booked In 2024
Computer related offences were of 306, offences related to dishonestly receiving stolen computer resources or communication devices were three and identify theft cases 68: Reports
VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh has recorded a significant rise in the number of cybercrimes. Some 2,528 instances have been reported in 2024 against 2,341 in 2023.
The rate of total cybercrimes was 47 while the rate of filing of charge sheets was at 28.6, as per the data released by the national crime records bureau vis-à-vis the crime scene in India in 2024.
Computer related offences were of 306, offences related to dishonestly receiving stolen computer resources or communication devices were three and identify theft cases 68.
Offences related to cheating or impersonation by using computer resource numbered 219 while offences related to publication /transmission of obscene/sexually explicit act in electronic form were 100 and those like publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form totalled 27.
Children were found to be no exception as 37 cases of publishing or transmitting material depicting children in sexually explicit act in electronic form related cases were booked.
Some 147 offences related to cyber stalking/bullying of women and children were reported while six cases related to sexual intercourse by deceitful means and five cases of data theft were booked.
Cyber fraud cases were more, at 593, followed by offences dealing with credit card or debit card at 66, offences related to ATMs at 25, online banking fraud cases 174, OPT frauds 48, gaming app or website offences five and marketing or investment related cases totalling 48.
Offences related to fraud call/vishing were reported at 20 while cheating related cases were at 750 and cases of forgery were five.
Cases related to defamation/morphing were three followed by fake profile cases numbering 18. Offences of cyber blackmailing/threatening were 21 and fake news on social media cases 203. One case was registered for online gambling.
As for the motives involved in committing cybercrimes, personal revenge cases were 141, emotional motives like anger etc 42, fraud cases 1,274, extortion 81, ‘causing disrepute’ cases 22, sexual exploitation 62, political motives 272, disruption of public service eight and sale or purchase of illegal drugs 1.
Other cases like spreading piracy were six, stealing information four.
As for the disposal of cybercrime cases by the AP police, 5,242 cases are pending investigation from the previous year while 2,528 cases were reported during the year, taking the total cases for investigation at 7,772 in the state. Of them, 1,327 cases have been disposed of while 6,444 cases are pending.
The pendency cases were high at 82.9 per cent of the total cases, meaning investigations and follow-up actions were in slow mode.
Yet, a total of 735 persons were arrested for their involvement in cybercrimes. Of them, 38 were female. A total of 685 persons were charge sheeted so far while three persons were convicted and 303 acquitted.
In cybercrimes against women, AP registered a total of 642 cases. Of these, 12 cases related to cyber blackmailing/threatening, 29 cases related to cyber pornography, 146 cases to cyber stalking/cyber bullying of women, six cases to sexual intercourse by deceitful means and 447 cases related to various other crimes against women.
A total of 55 cases pertaining to cybercrimes had been registered against children. A majority of the cases, 38, related to cyber pornography or publishing obscene sexual materials depicting children.
