Cybercrime surge overwhelms Karaikal police as staff crunch, lack of infrastructure stall investigations

A sharp rise in cybercrime complaints in Karaikal district is exposing serious gaps in policing capacity, with acute staff shortage, inadequate infrastructure and absence of a dedicated cybercrime police station slowing investigations and leaving a growing number of cases unresolved.

Data accessed by The Hindu show that the district cyber cell received about 550 complaints in 2025, but only 183 saw closure, a steep drop compared to the previous year despite a similar volume of cases. Officers attribute the decline to dwindling technical manpower and mounting complexity of cyber offences.

Once staffed with three cyber experts, the unit has been functioning with only one since last year, placing enormous pressure on the system. “The nature of cybercrime has changed, but our resources have not kept pace,” a senior police official said.

Records indicate that the cyber cell received about 160 complaints in 2023 and closed 83 of them. In 2024, complaints surged to around 560, with 344 cases disposed of — the highest in recent years.

Police sources say the cyber cell now handles a volume of complaints that exceeds the combined load of the five police stations across the district’s communes, underscoring the growing dependence on digital platforms and the risks that accompany it.

According to investigators, the cyber cell operates from a small room without dedicated office space, high-configuration computers or specialised forensic software. The lack of hardware, analytical tools and secure systems is a major impediment to tracking digital trails, retrieving evidence and coordinating with agencies.

“There is no proper technical ecosystem. Even routine analysis becomes time-consuming,” an officer said, adding that several high-value cases have stagnated for want of resources.

Crimes increasingly complex

Also, complaints range from online financial fraud and instant loan app harassment to social media stalking, identity theft and online abuse. Investigators are also handling cases involving threats to circulate intimate images following relationship disputes, circulation of private photographs and video-call scams targeting minors.

Officials estimate that nearly 70% of complaints involve crimes affecting women, including harassment, blackmail and extortion.

Another challenge, officers say, is the procedural structure. Complaints received at the district cyber cell are often forwarded to jurisdictional police stations for investigation, leading to delays and uneven follow-up.

Even when suspects are identified, progress can slow due to the need for technical analysis, coordination with service providers, social media platforms and inter-State communication — tasks that require specialised expertise.

The unit currently has two “cyber commandos” trained under the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). However, they primarily deal with sensitive government-related cyber issues and are not assigned routine investigations, further constraining capacity.

Initiatives such as the “Karai Kavalan” mobile application — introduced earlier to ensure action taken reports within 24 hours — have not been actively promoted in recent years, leading to fewer complaints being routed through the platform and reduced public engagement.

Officials emphasise the urgent need for a dedicated cybercrime police station equipped with trained personnel, modern forensic tools and robust digital infrastructure, especially as legal frameworks such as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita place increasing emphasis on electronic evidence and digital procedures.

When The Hindu reached out to a senior police official in the district, the officer said that proposals seeking a dedicated cybercrime police station had been sent to the Puducherry Police headquarters and land had been identified long ago. However, no fresh announcements or sanctions have been issued so far.

“As far as the Karai Kavalan app is concerned, it is still operational and functional. We are handling cybercrime cases within the limitations we currently face,” the official said.