In an era where cybercrime is escalating at an alarming rate, Karnataka finds itself at the Centre of this crisis. Over the past year alone, around 1,48,865 calls have been made to 1980, the cybercrime helpline. However, it is deeply concerning that only 20,875 cases have been officially registered at police stations. This stark contrast highlights a troubling reality, people hesitate to file complaints, either due to fear, lack of trust in the police system, or a sense of futility in seeking justice.
One of the
key issues is negligence towards complaints filed via helpline calls. Many
victims assume that merely reporting an incident over the phone is enough,
without following up to ensure action is taken. On the other hand, a
significant number of victims lack faith in the police system, fearing that
their case might never be solved. The fear of self-incrimination also plays a
role—many individuals lose money due to their own lapses in judgment, falling
prey to online scams, and later feel ashamed to report it. Some might even
worry about attracting scrutiny, fearing an IT raid or legal repercussions,
especially if the lost money was unaccounted for. These speculations, though
not factually proven, indicate underlying fears and systemic flaws that
discourage victims from seeking justice.
The gravity
of the situation is further underscored by national data. Telangana, Karnataka,
and Maharashtra rank among the top three states with the highest number of
cybercrime cases reported in the last three years. Despite rising awareness, cybercrime
incidents continue to surge rather than decline. This suggests that law
enforcement agencies are struggling to address the issue at its root. The lack
of advanced technology, trained personnel, and proactive enforcement adds to
the challenge. Meanwhile, cybercriminals are evolving, making the fight against
digital fraud more complex.
The
increasing number of cyber frauds paints a grim picture of system failure. If
people continue to lose faith in the authorities, the situation will only
worsen, making Karnataka a breeding ground for cybercriminals. The need of the
hour is a stronger, technology-driven response, better awareness campaigns, and
a transparent police system that encourages victims to report crimes without
fear or hesitation. Without immediate action, the unchecked rise of cybercrime
may pose a severe risk to the nation’s financial and digital security.
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