| Abstract: |
The rapid expansion of digital infrastructure has significantly amplified exposure to cybercrime globally and in India. This study examines the nature of cybercrime, its typology, and its multidimensional impact financial, psychological, and social on victims in the contemporary digital era. The primary objectives are to analyze the evolving patterns and typology of cybercrime victimization and to assess its consequences on individual victims beyond financial harm. A secondary data analysis design was employed, drawing on official data from India's National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB, 2023), the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3, 2023), and peer-reviewed literature. The hypothesis posited that cybercrime victimization causes significant harm across financial, psychological, and social dimensions simultaneously. Results confirm that India registered 86,420 cybercrime cases in 2023 a 31% increase over 2022 while global financial losses exceeded USD 12.5 billion in the same year. Victims experience severe emotional distress, loss of digital trust, and social stigma. The study concludes that victim-centric policy frameworks, dedicated legal infrastructure, and digital literacy initiatives are urgently required to address the escalating cybercrime threat. |
