Pune Sees Spike in Cybercrime With 11 Cases in One Day, Losses Exceed ₹2.16 Crore

Pune records 11 cybercrime cases in a single day, with victims losing over ₹2.16 crore. Police urge vigilance as fraudsters use phishing, fake calls, and digital scams.

Pune, December 13, 2025 – Pune has witnessed a sharp increase in cyber fraud, with law enforcement recording 11 separate cybercrime cases in a single day, resulting in combined losses of more than ₹2.16 crore. The surge highlights the evolving tactics of online fraudsters and underscores the urgent need for individuals and businesses to strengthen digital security practices.

According to police statements, the reported incidents involved a variety of common cyber fraud methods including phishing links, fraudulent app requests, deceptive calls impersonating officials, and bogus investment schemes. In many cases, victims were tricked into sharing sensitive personal information such as one-time passwords (OTPs), banking credentials, or UPI authorisation codes, which enabled fraudsters to siphon money directly from accounts.

Investigators noted that several victims first received text messages or WhatsApp messages claiming to be from banks or digital services, prompting them to click on seemingly legitimate links. Once victims entered their credentials or authentication details, criminals were able to gain access and initiate unauthorised transfers. In other instances, callers posed as employees of government agencies or financial institutions to invoke fear or urgency, persuading victims to transfer funds to “secure accounts” to avoid legal or tax trouble.

Officials emphasised that the total financial impact reflects just the reported cases for that one day, and the actual number may be higher due to unreported instances. Cybercrime units are working to trace the digital footprints in these cases, including analysing transaction records, communication logs, and IP addresses used to commit the fraud.

Law enforcement have appealed to the public to be cautious when responding to unsolicited messages or calls, especially those that request personal or financial information. Genuine banks and government departments typically do not ask for sensitive data over text messages or phone calls. Authorities also warn against downloading unknown applications or scanning QR codes from unverified sources, as these can be used to install malicious software or capture banking details.

Cybersecurity experts say that with growing internet penetration and increased use of digital payments, fraudsters are leveraging social engineering tactics to exploit trust and complacency. They recommend enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA), regularly updating passwords, and using official apps and websites for transactions to reduce vulnerability to scams.

The police cybercrime cell has also urged victims of such frauds to report incidents immediately rather than waiting, as prompt reporting can improve the chances of tracking and freezing transactions before funds are moved out of reach. Workshops and awareness campaigns are being planned in collaboration with local communities to educate citizens about the latest scam patterns and preventive measures.

Despite technological advancements, officials note that many scams still succeed because fraudsters are adept at mimicking legitimate communication and creating a false sense of urgency. Online safety advocates advise users to double-check URLs, verify caller identities independently, and avoid clicking on links in random messages.

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