Coimbatore: Despite repeated cyber safety campaigns by the city police and the Tamil Nadu government, residents of Coimbatore suffered losses of ₹87.16 crore to online fraudsters in 2025, underscoring the growing threat of digital scams and the evolving tactics used by cybercriminals.

According to data released by the Coimbatore city police, the cybercrime wing received 9,960 complaints during the year. A majority of these — 7,779 cases — involved online financial fraud, including phishing scams, fake links, malicious mobile applications and social engineering tricks.

While the total loss crossed ₹87 crore, police were able to recover only ₹7.65 crore, putting the recovery rate at less than 10 per cent. Officials said delays in reporting fraud and the rapid movement of stolen funds across multiple bank accounts often make recovery difficult.

During the year, police arrested 60 people in connection with cybercrime cases. Of them, eight were detained under the Goondas Act. In comparison, 50 offenders were arrested in 2024, with nine detained under the same law.

How scammers trap victims

Officials said fraudsters are increasingly impersonating government departments and trusted institutions to gain victims’ confidence.

In one case cited by the police, a Coimbatore resident received a WhatsApp message claiming to be a traffic violation notice, demanding payment of a ₹1,000 fine. The message contained a link that led to a fake application resembling an official transport department app.

Believing it to be genuine, the victim downloaded the app. Within minutes, ₹1 lakh was siphoned off from the person’s bank account.

“I never imagined a simple message about a traffic fine could wipe out my savings. It looked completely authentic and came with official logos,” the victim told police.

Banks, KYC norms under focus

Senior cybercrime officials stressed that quick access to bank transaction details plays a critical role in tracking fraud.

“Any delay slows down investigations and significantly reduces the chances of freezing or recovering stolen money,” an officer said.

The police also flagged concerns over mule accounts, which are often created due to weak Know Your Customer (KYC) checks.

“These accounts form the backbone of financial cybercrimes. Banks must tighten KYC checks while opening accounts,” the official added.

Police advisory to the public

Authorities urged citizens to remain cautious and follow basic cyber safety practices:

Avoid clicking unknown links or downloading apps from unverified sources

Verify official messages directly through government websites or helplines

Report suspected fraud immediately to banks and the cybercrime helpline

Police said early reporting significantly improves the chances of freezing stolen funds and taking action against fraudsters.