AI-powered cybercrime surges across India, causes ₹22,812 crore in losses in 2024

India faced a staggering rise in AI-driven cybercrime in 2024, with financial losses from digital fraud reaching ₹22,812 crore ($2.78 billion), according to the newly released “State of AI-Powered Cybercrime: Threat & Mitigation Report 2025.” The joint study by GIREM (Global Initiative for Restructuring Environment and Management) and tech firm Tekion underscores how cybercriminals are increasingly weaponising artificial intelligence to execute targeted attacks across both urban and rural regions.

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AI tools were involved in 80% of phishing campaigns last year, enabling scammers to create deepfakes, clone legitimate websites, and impersonate brands with alarming precision. Threat actors also exploited AI to design fake government service apps and spoofed dashboards, significantly raising the risk for both individuals and businesses.

The report highlights that India registered 1.91 million cybercrime complaints in 2024, a sharp rise from 1.55 million in 2023. Karnataka alone witnessed a five-fold jump in reported cybercrimes over two years, with Bengaluru contributing significantly to the total losses of ₹2,396 crore in the state. Malware and ransomware incidents—many AI-driven—also surged, with over 11 million malware detections in 2024.

India is now the second most targeted country globally for crypto-related cyberattacks. In response, Karnataka has launched India’s first Cyber Command Centre to tackle this evolving threat landscape. The report recommends nationwide cybersecurity education, multilingual awareness campaigns, AI-powered threat detection, and global cooperation to contain the escalating menace.