By June 2026, India has blocked nearly 3,718 mobile apps linked to online fraud, prevented over Rs 11,158 crore in losses, and expanded recovery efforts, signalling a substantial escalation in the fight against cyber financial crime.
India’s cybercrime apparatus has blocked 3,718 mobile applications, including illegal and fraudulent loan apps, by June 30, 2026, as authorities step up efforts to curb online fraud and financial crime. According to NDTV Profit, the action has been accompanied by the blocking of more than 15.75 lakh SIM cards and 5.77 lakh IMEI numbers, based on reports from police authorities. The Centre said the measures were taken under the Information Technology Act through the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.
The government said the crackdown has helped prevent losses of more than Rs 11,158 crore across more than 32.80 lakh complaints filed through the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System, which has been running since 2021. The Ministry of Home Affairs told the Lok Sabha that the scale of the response reflects a broader effort to disrupt fraud networks before money can move beyond recovery.
Officials have also expanded the tools used to identify suspect accounts. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre’s Suspect Registry, launched in September 2024 with banks and financial institutions, has shared more than 30.48 lakh suspect identifiers and over 32.08 lakh Layer 1 mule accounts with participating entities, helping bring down transactions worth Rs 25,698 crore by June 30, 2026. NDTV Profit also reported that the government has run awareness drives through SMS, caller tunes, social media, television, radio, schools, cinemas, celebrity endorsements and Indian Premier League campaigns.
The response has widened beyond blocking and reporting. The Money Restoration Module and Grievance Redressal Module became operational in April 2026 to speed up the return of defrauded funds and handle complaints over frozen bank accounts and lien markings, while other reports say the Centre has also pushed the e-Zero FIR system and deeper coordination with banks to recover victims’ money. Together, the measures show how the government is trying to move from awareness to faster enforcement and restitution.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
