Overview Karnataka has witnessed a significant increase in cyber crime cases over the past three years, with over 57,000 cases reported. These crimes have resulted in financial fraud amounting to ₹5,473 crore , according to Home Minister G. Parameshwara . The state government is taking measures to address this issue, including establishing cyber police stations and attempting to regulate online betting. Key Developments Cyber Crime Statistics In 2023 , 22,255 cyber crime cases were filed, involving financial fraud of ₹873.29 crore . In 2024 , 22,478 cyber crime cases were registered, amounting to financial fraud of ₹2,562 crore . In 2025 (so far), 13,000 cases have been reported with ₹2,038 crore involved. Only ₹627 crore has been recovered from these cyber crime cases. Regional Distribution Bengaluru city tops the list with 9,326 cyber crime cases in 2025 . Among the districts, Bengaluru Urban accounted for 384 cases, followed by Vijayapura (340) , Tumakuru (243) , Ramanagara (192) , Udupi (171) , Mysuru city (166) and Mysuru district (56) . Government Initiatives Karnataka has created a cyber vertical led by a DGP , similar to the CID and Prisons Department. 43 cyber police stations have been established to crack down on cyber crime. Online Betting Regulation The state government attempted to ban online betting by bringing changes to existing legislation. The Online India Gaming Federation obtained a stay from the courts against these changes. The case has been appealed to the Supreme Court and is listed for December 19, 2025 . Central government legislation to curb online betting has also been stayed. UPSC Relevance This news article is relevant to GS3: Cyber Security , GS3: Economy , and GS2: Government Policies . It highlights the increasing threat of cyber crime and the measures taken by the government to address it. The issue of online betting and its regulation is also relevant from an ethical and legal perspective. Important Facts The increasing number of cyber crime cases in Karnataka indicates a growing threat to financial security. The low recovery rate of money lost in cyber crimes highlights the challenges in investigating and prosecuting these cases. The establishment of cyber police stations and a cyber vertical demonstrates the government's commitment to combating cyber crime. The legal battle over online betting regulation raises questions about the balance between individual freedom and public safety.