The duration from 2020 to 2022, during the pandemic, saw the maximum number of cybercrime cases being reported. (Representative Image)Residents of Delhi lost around Rs 70 crore to cyber fraud cases registered in the Capital in the first six months of this year, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said in Lok Sabha while answering a query about cybercrime in the city.As per data presented, the number of cyber financial fraud cases registered up to June 30 this year was 184. Last year, the number stood at around Rs 817 crore with 1,591 cases. Data also shows that Rs 64 crore was lost to cybercrimes, the highest number in the last 11 years from 2014.The duration from 2020 to 2022, during the pandemic, saw the maximum number of cybercrime cases being reported. The highest number of cases was registered in 2020 (1,687), while the maximum money that was lost was in 2022 (Rs 231.23 crore). During the pandemic, the most common fraud was the alleged work-from-home scam, where people were assigned tasks and told that they would be paid based on them.Rai also mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs provides financial assistance under the Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) scheme, to states and Union Territories for their capacity building such as setting up of cyber forensic cum training laboratories, hiring of junior cyber consultants, and training of law enforcement agencies personnel, public prosecutors and judicial officers.In addition, the Delhi Police have set up Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) equipped with the latest equipment and software to investigate complex and sensitive cyber crime cases. Besides, one Cyber Police Station in each of the 15 districts of the Delhi Police has become functional since 2022 to deal with cybercrime-related cases in Delhi, Rai said.Rai added that help desks at all police stations are equipped to assist women affected by cybercrimes. A specialised unit, Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC), is also functioning under the Delhi Police to handle such cases with sensitivity and urgency.The Indian Express reached out to the Delhi Police spokesperson to ask about the number of cases this year compared to 2024, even though cases of cyber fraud are being reported regularly. However, there was no response.Sakshi Chand is working as an Assistant Editor with the Indian Express. She has over a decade of experience in covering crime, prisons, traffic and human interest stories. She has also covered the communal clashes in Kasganj, Aligarh, Trilokpuri riots as well as the North-East Delhi riots. Apart from being a journalist, she is also a National level basketball player and a coach. Before joining the Indian Express, she was working for The Times of India. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd