Cybercrime Incident in Madhya Pradesh Results in 1,054 Crore Loss, Recovery of 1.94 Crore
In the digital age, cybercrime is a growing concern across India, and Madhya Pradesh is no exception. According to recent data, social media abuse has been linked to a significant portion of cybercrime cases in the state over the past four years.
In 2022, 542 out of 1,021 cybercrime cases were related to social media abuse, with a dismal recovery rate of just 0.18% of the total stolen amount. The following year, 428 out of 927 cases were also linked to social media abuse, and the trend has continued in 2025, where 242 out of 511 cases are connected to cyberbullying, sextortion, impersonation, and blackmail through social media platforms.
The state's cybercrime control apparatus appears to be struggling to keep pace with digital criminals. The resolution rate of cybercrime cases has declined steadily, standing at 27% in 2025. Without improvements in training, resources, and accountability, the gap between crimes committed and justice delivered is expected to widen.
However, Madhya Pradesh authorities are taking multiple coordinated measures to improve cybercrime prevention and recovery. Key steps include capacity building, cyber forensic infrastructure, awareness programs, and collaboration with central initiatives.
The Central Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, has released financial assistance (Rs. 132.93 crores) under the "Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC)" scheme to Madhya Pradesh and other states. This funding supports the establishment of cyber forensic-cum-training laboratories, hiring cyber consultants, and training police, prosecutors, and judicial officers to strengthen investigation and prosecution capabilities.
Madhya Pradesh has a commissioned cyber forensic-cum-training lab as part of this scheme, enabling better technical examination and evidence handling in cybercrime cases. The state is also leveraging centralized digital intelligence and AI tools, such as the India’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) and the Fraud Risk Indicator software, to combat cyber fraud.
Telecom sector interventions include disconnection of millions of suspect SIM cards and use of AI analytics (ASTR tool) to detect fake mobile connections exploited in cyber frauds. These actions affect Madhya Pradesh alongside other states.
In addition, local awareness and educational initiatives have been launched, such as the "Digital Suraksha" cyber awareness program and the release of the book "Cyber Crime Prevention and Fraud Management" by local officials, focusing on educating citizens and organizations on cyber threats and prevention strategies.
Despite these efforts, the state has faced criticism for its handling of cyber fraud cases. The youth are the biggest targets of such cybercrime, with 67% of victims in 2025 being youngsters. The state home department's response to a question in the Assembly revealed a shocking discrepancy between the rise in cybercrimes and the state's ability to prevent and solve them.
The Prime Minister's call for people to go digital is being questioned due to the state's inability to retrieve more than 1% of what was stolen in cyber frauds. The Congress MLA Jaivardhan Singh described the current situation as a "cyber emergency" due to the state government's failure to check such frauds.
As of July 13, 2025, residents of Madhya Pradesh have collectively lost a total of Rs 1,054 crore to cyber frauds. Charge sheets have been filed in only 585 out of 1,193 cases related to cyber frauds, with the remaining 608 FIRs either pending, under investigation, or dismissed.
It is clear that Madhya Pradesh has a long way to go in its fight against cybercrime, particularly social media abuse. However, with continued efforts and improvements in training, resources, and accountability, the state can work towards bridging the gap between crimes committed and justice delivered.
- The growing concern of cybercrime in Madhya Pradesh, with over half of the cases being linked to social media abuse, highlights the need for enhanced resources, training, and accountability in cybersecurity to combat this issue, particularly in politics and general news.
- As a result of the increasing cybercrime cases, particularly in the realm of crime and justice, Madhya Pradesh authorities have taken coordinated measures, including leveraging technology such as AI tools, establishing cyber forensic labs, and launching awareness programs to equip citizens with the knowledge needed to prevent cyber threats.
