State crosses Rs 1000-cr recovery milestone, police urge victims to report online fraud instantly to improve chances of recovery
The command centre of Maharashtra Cyber, a nodal agency, in Navi Mumbai. Pic/By Special Arrangement
Maharashtra has just achieved its biggest cybercrime breakthrough yet — crossing the Rs 1000-crore mark in cumulative recoveries for the first time — even as online fraudsters duped citizens of Rs 8058 crore over the past five years. Officials say the newly achieved recovery milestone signals a sharp shift in the state’s cyber-fraud response system, driven by faster reporting, real-time freezing of mule accounts, and the rollout of the 1930 emergency helpline.
Cybercrime complaints ballooned from 3523 in 2021 to more than 2.32 lakh in 2024, reflecting the sweeping spread of phishing cons, investment scams, digital-arrest intimidation rackets, fake loan apps and impersonation syndicates across Maharashtra. Recoveries, however, have shown an equally dramatic rise — from just Rs 0.53 crore in all of 2021 to Rs 471.78 crore from January to October 2025.
Cybercrime complaints have ballooned from 3523 in 2021 to more than 2.32 lakh in 2024. Representation pic/iStock
Between 2021 and October 2025, the department successfully saved Rs 1020.55 crore, the highest in the country. In several cases, investigators achieved 100 per cent recovery — a rarity in cybercrime. Between February and November 2025 alone, 12,530 victims received their entire amount back, totalling Rs 171 crore. However, the recovery success comes with a caveat. Despite improved systems, Maharashtra continues to lose staggering amounts annually: Rs 4055.87 crore in 2024 and Rs 2870.48 crore in 2025 (till October).
Experts say criminals have shifted from high-value targeted frauds to large-scale low-value scams, making real-time reporting the only effective defence. The total fraud amount has reduced compared to last year, and recovery rates have risen sharply due to victims reporting incidents much faster. The newly operational Cyber Command Centre in Navi Mumbai, backed by the 1930 cyber helpline and enhanced coordination with banks, has enabled cyber teams to freeze suspicious transactions within minutes — often before the money disappears through mule accounts.
Officers emphasise the crucial role of the first two hours after the fraud—known as the ‘Golden Hour’. Immediate reporting on the 1930 helpline or NCRP portal drastically increases the chances of freezing the money. Yet, most victims still approach authorities after 12–24 hours, by which time the funds have already been dispersed through multiple mule accounts. Despite recent gains, Maharashtra still loses an average of R4.4 crore daily to digital fraud.
Two-hour window
In cyber fraud cases, the first two hours after the incident are considered the ‘Golden Hour.’ Much like accident victims who have higher survival chances when treated immediately, victims of online fraud have the best chance of recovery when they report instantly.
Earlier, banks took days to verify complaints; FIRs were registered only after paperwork was completed. Criminals exploited this delay to quickly withdraw or divert funds. Now, the moment a victim calls 1930 or files a complaint on the NCRP portal, Maharashtra Cyber triggers an immediate transaction freeze, often before the money is moved further.
Several cases have seen 100 per cent recovery, but officers warn that many victims still report after a day or more — by which time the money trail collapses. “If a complaint reaches us within two hours, we can stop the transaction mid-route. Beyond that, recovery becomes extremely difficult,” an officer said.
2,32,000
Cybercrime complaints made across Maharashtra last year
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