Mumbai: Card frauds in 8 months surpass total cases in 2016

Cases of card fraud registered in Mumbai till September this year have surpassed the total number of cases registered in 2016, reports Hindustan Times.

The Mumbai cyberpolice records show that over 464 cases have been registered in eight months this year compared to 423 cases registered throughout 2016.

In contrast, the number of detentions or arrests made this year has gone down to 34 cases despite an increase in reported cases.

The cases reported every year show a rising trend. The total card frauds registered in 2015 stood at 320, which is lower than cases registered in the current or the previous year.

The increase in card fraud cases at a time when the government is pushing for a digital economy.

However, sources told the paper that the figures fail to depict the real situation as in many cases people, as well as banks, do not register a FIR regarding a card fraud.

"Many cases go unreported so, in reality, the figure could be higher. The fraudsters are also getting more tech-savvy than police by the day. Extensive training is necessary to keep the police a step ahead of cybercriminals," D Sivanandhan, former DGP of Maharashtra and an expert on cybercrime, told the paper.

For instance, when the Mumbai police busted a big card-cloning racket and arrested eight men who duped over 1,028 customers in May, it was learnt that only 40 FIRs were registered. The remaining people did not file an FIR as they received a refund from the bank.

Other types of cards fraud like vhishing, where fraudsters call the customers as bank officials to seek bank details, were also reported.

Mumbai police officials told the paper that they would have to analyse the data before they can make comments.