Cyber-Financial (Cy-Fi) Fraud in India: A Case Study of COVID-19 Induced Cybercrime in Mewat Region

Over the past decade, India’s Internet and social media usage surged due to initiatives like “Digital India,” affordable smartphones and reduced Internet costs. While digitalization has brought numerous benefits, it has also changed the cybercrime landscape. Mewat, now dubbed the “epicentre of cybercrime” in India, poses a significant challenge to law enforcement and financial security. This paper examines Mewat’s rise as a cybercrime hub, attributing it to pre-existing developmental gaps worsened by the COVID-19 lockdown. Effective solutions require comprehensive development and robust policy implementation in Mewat to prevent ongoing exploitation by cyber-criminals.