India recorded 50,035 cases of cybercrime in 2020, marking 11.8 per cent surge in such offences in contrast to 2019.

As many as 578 incidents of “fake news on social media” were also reported, according to official data released on Wednesday by the National Crime Records Bureau.

Among the States, the maximum 11,097 cybercrime cases were reported in Uttar Pradesh followed by Karnataka (10,741), Maharashtra (5,496), Telangana (5,024) and Assam (3,530), it showed.

However, the crime rate was highest in Karnataka with 16.2 per cent followed by Telangana (13.4 per cent), Assam (10.1 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (4.8 per cent) and Maharashtra (4.4 per cent), the data revealed.

The rate of cybercrime (incidents per lakh population) also increased marginally from 3.3 per cent in 2019 to 3.7 per cent in 2020 in the country, according to the NCRB data.

In 2019, 44,735 cases of cybercrime were recorded, while the figures stood at 27,248 in 2018.

In 2020, 4,047 cases of online banking fraud, 1,093 OTP frauds and 1,194 credit/debit card fraud were reported. A many as 2,160 cases related to ATM were reported in 2020.

There were also 578 cases of fake news on social media, 972 related to cyberstalking or bullying of women and children, 149 incidents of fake profile and 98 of data theft n 2020, the data suggested.

In terms of motive, the maximum 60.2 per cent cyber crimes lodged in 2020 were done for fraud (30,142 out of 50,035 cases), the NCRB, which functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs, stated.

It was followed by sexual exploitation with 6.6 per cent (3,293 cases) and extortion 4.9 per cent (2,440 cases), the data showed.

The national Capital Delhi recorded 168 such cases during the year with a crime rate of 0.8 per cent.

The NCRB, which is responsible for collecting and analysing crime data at the pan-India level as defined by the Indian Penal Code and special and local laws in the country.