With cyber fraud cases spiralling across districts and online scams fast emerging as a new law-and-order challenge, the Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out a specialised force of ‘Cyber Commandos’,
marking a decisive push to counter digital crime through technology-driven policing.
The initiative, launched under the Yogi Adityanath government, aims to create an elite cadre of police personnel trained exclusively to tackle cyber fraud, identity theft, financial scams, digital extortion and organised online crime networks operating both within and outside the state.
The launch comes against the backdrop of rising cybercrime figures across India and within Uttar Pradesh: According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Uttar Pradesh recorded 10,794 cybercrime cases in 2023, up from 10,117 in 2022 — an increase that places the state among the top in the country for such offences. In the Kanpur police zone alone, authorities reported losses of Rs 45.95 crore due to cyber fraud in 2025, with over 650 cases registered and 353 accused arrested in a single year. Nationwide patterns show cybercrime complaints rising sharply in recent years, reflecting both digitisation and criminal adaptation to technology-enabled schemes. National figures have indicated significant jumps in fraud complaints, with some estimates showing the total amount lost in online fraud across India nearing Rs 20,000 crore in 2025.
Officials said the Cyber Commandos will function as a state-level rapid response and intelligence unit, equipped with advanced forensic tools, real-time data tracking systems and specialised training from premier technical institutions. The force will work in close coordination with district cyber police stations, banks, telecom service providers and national cyber agencies.
Senior government sources said other than the urban pockets, a sharp rise in cyber crime complaints with rural pockets has been recorded too, with these increasingly becoming hotspots for online fraud — from fake loan apps and investment scams to impersonation and phishing rackets. “Cyber crime has evolved faster than conventional policing. This force is meant to bridge that gap,” a senior Home Department official said.
At a recent Police Manthan conference, the Chief Minister directed senior officials to leverage artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to stay ahead of evolving threats, signalling an institutional shift toward technology-driven crime prevention.
Officials said Cyber Commandos will not only investigate cases but also track organised cyber gangs, analyse digital money trails, dismantle call-centre-based fraud syndicates and assist in inter-state and international coordination. A public awareness component is also being planned to educate citizens on cyber hygiene and reporting mechanisms.
