AI-Powered Cybercrime Network Targets India at Industrial Scale
Organised criminal gangs operating from Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East are using AI to automate and industrialize cybercrime against Indian targets, including personalized scams, deepfake-based digital arrest fraud, and social engineering attacks. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre CEO reported that 80% of cyber attacks are now AI-driven, with global cybercrime costs estimated at $10.8 trillion in 2025.
What happened
Artificial intelligence has enabled the industrialisation of cybercrime, with organised gangs operating from Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of India carrying out automated attacks. These criminal organisations have bureaucratic structures with specialised wings for human resources, research and development, and operations.
AI is being used to personalise scams delivered via SMS and WhatsApp, including fake traffic violation messages (challan) and digital arrest fraud using deepfakes of police officers. The technology auto-scripts, drafts, personalises and executes fraudulent communications.
Reported impact
Globally, the estimated cost of cybercrime for 2025 stood at around USD 10.8 trillion, with expectations for the figure to rise to approximately USD 12 trillion in 2026. According to global think tanks, nearly 80 percent of cyber attacks are now driven by AI.
Index analysis
The organised criminal gangs identified weaknesses in technological systems and exploit vulnerabilities in human psychology. Many attacks continue to rely on social engineering but are now heavily supported by artificial intelligence.
Governance controls
The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre, set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs, serves as the nodal agency providing a framework for law enforcement agencies to tackle cybercrime.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.