| Abstract: |
The rapid digitalization of information systems has created an unprecedented vulnerability landscape for individuals, organizations, and sovereign states. This study critically analyses cybercrime and digital victimization in the contemporary information era, with particular emphasis on India's escalating cybercrime trajectory. The primary objectives are to examine typological patterns of cybercrime and to identify structural determinants of digital victimization. Secondary data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), IBM Security Reports, and Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) were employed within a descriptive-analytical framework. The hypothesis posits that increasing digital penetration is significantly and positively associated with rising cybercrime incidence and financial victimization. Results reveal that India recorded 86,128 cybercrime cases in 2023 a 31.2% increase over the preceding year while the global average data breach cost reached $4.88 million in 2024. Financial fraud constitutes over 60% of domestic cybercrime, and trial conviction rates remain below 3%. The discussion underscores institutional inadequacies, legislative gaps, and the urgent need for multi-stakeholder cybersecurity governance frameworks. The study concludes that legislative reform, enhanced digital literacy, and robust international cooperation are indispensable for effective cybercrime mitigation across rapidly digitalizing economies. |
