PANAJI
Goa has been ranked the top state in India for citizen-led cybercrime reporting, according to a recent survey by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) Rahul Gupta said this top rank is due to “proactive awareness, youth engagement, and tech-enabled policing.”
“Goa has been ranked first in the country in terms of the ability to report cybercrime, according to a recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Topping this list directly reflects both citizen awareness and trust in the system. Improved early reporting has helped prevent financial losses in multiple cases through timely blocking of bank accounts and UPI handles,” the press note said.
The survey explained that ‘ability to report cybercrime’ includes awareness of reporting platforms like [cybercrime.gov.in](https://cybercrime.gov.in), knowledge of how to file complaints (online forms, helpline, social media), and understanding what can be reported.
In the last year, over one lakh people in Goa have been made aware through focused campaigns. The Cyber Crime Police Station, along with local police units, held awareness sessions in schools, colleges, village panchayats, urban wards, and among professionals. These covered issues like OTP scams, phishing, AI-based misinformation, sextortion, and fake investment schemes.
Gupta also mentioned that the ‘Cyber Yoddha’ initiative involved 150 trained citizen volunteers who worked with the police to spread awareness. Campaigns were also held during religious events like the Ganapati festivals and the Sanatan Shankhanad Mahotsav in Ponda, using banners, audio messages, and information stalls to reach large crowds.
“The use of local languages like Konkani and Marathi besides English was key to reaching diverse audiences... digital platforms have been leveraged for ongoing campaigns like ‘Cyber Surakshit Goem,’ sharing real-case videos and safety tips designed to engage younger users,” he said.
