India Faces ₹20,000 Crore Cybercrime Losses in 2025: CloudSEK Report

New Delhi, March 1 — Indian entities are projected to suffer financial losses exceeding ₹20,000 crore due to cybercrimes in 2025, according to a report by cybersecurity intelligence firm CloudSEK. The report highlights that brand abuse alone accounts for ₹9,000 crore in losses, underscoring the growing threat of online impersonation and fraud.

Cybercrime on the Rise: A Data-Driven Outlook​

CloudSEK’s study is based on an extensive analysis of 200 companies across various sectors, over 5,000 domain takedowns, and nearly 16,000 cases of brand abuse. The report also incorporates official data from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and utilizes AI-driven predictive modeling to forecast financial impacts.

"The biggest revelation from our research is the sheer scale of financial losses of over ₹20,000 crore due to cybercrime, of which ₹9,000 crore stems from brand name abuse alone. The fact that brand abuse is implicated in nearly one-third of all cybercrime incidents and a staggering 70% of high-value scams is a wake-up call for India," said Pavan Karthick M, Threat Intelligence Researcher at CloudSEK.

Cybercrime Complaints to Exceed 25 Lakh in 2025​

The report estimates that cybercrime complaints will surpass 25 lakh this year, with 5 lakh specifically related to brand impersonation.

Building upon I4C’s findings, which reported cybercrime losses of ₹11,333 crore in the first nine months of 2024, CloudSEK’s white paper uses advanced AI-driven modeling to predict continued escalations into 2025.

Banking, E-Commerce, and Government Sectors Most Affected​

CloudSEK’s analysis through its Nexus platform indicates that certain industries will bear the brunt of these cyber threats:

• Banking and Financial Services: ₹8,200 crore in projected losses
• Retail and E-Commerce: ₹5,800 crore in projected losses
• Government Services: ₹3,400 crore in projected losses

Scams and Fraudulent Activities on the Rise​

The report identifies investment scams (such as "pig-butchering" schemes) and advance-fee scams as the primary drivers of financial losses. Additionally, fraudulent domains are expected to surge by 65%, while fake apps—especially in financial services—are projected to increase by 83%.

A Call for Enhanced Cybersecurity Measures​

The findings signal an urgent need for stronger cybersecurity frameworks and proactive measures to combat brand impersonation, fraud, and digital scams. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, businesses and government agencies must fortify their digital security to mitigate potential losses.

With India’s digital economy expanding rapidly, the report serves as a stark warning for stakeholders to prioritize cybersecurity investments and policy enhancements to curb the escalating financial damage caused by cybercrime.