To report cybercrime in India, visit the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in and file a complaint online, or call the cybercrime helpline at 1930 for immediate assistance with financial frauds. You can report any cyber offence — online fraud, hacking, identity theft, cyberstalking, morphed images, or data theft — through this portal. For financial frauds, acting within the first 24 hours significantly increases the chances of recovering your money, as banks can freeze suspicious transactions.
Why this matters
Cybercrime in India has exploded — the National Crime Records Bureau recorded over 65,000 cybercrime cases in 2022, and the actual number of incidents is estimated to be many times higher because most cases go unreported. From UPI fraud and phishing scams to identity theft and cyberstalking, ordinary citizens are increasingly vulnerable. The government has created a centralised reporting system through cybercrime.gov.in, but many people do not know it exists or how to use it. Filing a complaint promptly is critical — especially for financial frauds, where every hour of delay reduces the chance of recovery.
Step-by-step: How to report
1. Call the cybercrime helpline (1930) for financial frauds
If you have lost money to an online fraud — UPI scam, phishing, fake investment scheme, or unauthorised bank transaction — your first step should be calling 1930. This toll-free helpline is operated by the Ministry of Home Affairs and routes your complaint directly to the relevant police authority and banks. The earlier you call, the higher the chance of freezing the fraudulent transaction and recovering your money.
In practice: Have the following ready before calling: your bank account details, the transaction amount and time, the fraudster's phone number or UPI ID (if available), and screenshots of the fraud.
2. Register on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
Visit https://cybercrime.gov.in and click on "File a Complaint." You will need to register with your name and a valid Indian mobile number. An OTP will be sent to verify your number (valid for 30 minutes).
In practice: Use the mobile number that is linked to your bank account or the one used in the cybercrime — this helps the investigation link your complaint to the relevant records.
3. Select the complaint category
After registration, choose the category that matches your situation:
- Women/Child Related Crime: Cyber harassment, morphed images, cyberstalking, child pornography, sexual exploitation
- Financial Fraud: UPI fraud, credit/debit card fraud, online banking fraud, investment scams, loan app fraud
- Other Cyber Crime: Hacking, identity theft, data breach, ransomware, social media crimes, email hacking, online defamation
In practice: If your complaint involves multiple categories (e.g., identity theft leading to financial fraud), choose the primary category. You can explain the full scenario in the complaint details.
Important: For complaints involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM), you can file an anonymous complaint — you do not need to reveal your identity. This is an important protection for whistleblowers.
4. Fill in the complaint details
Provide as much detail as possible:
- Description of the incident: What happened, when, and how
- Suspect details: Phone number, email, social media profiles, UPI ID, bank account details of the fraudster
- Evidence: Upload screenshots, transaction receipts, chat logs, emails, or any other proof
- Amount lost: If financial fraud, the exact amount
In practice: Be specific with dates, times, and amounts. Vague complaints take longer to process. The more evidence you upload, the stronger your case.
5. Submit and track your complaint
After submission, you will receive a complaint number. Save this — you need it to track the status of your complaint on the portal. The complaint is forwarded to the relevant state cyber police station for investigation.
In practice: Track your complaint periodically at cybercrime.gov.in using your complaint number. If there is no progress within 30 days, escalate by contacting the State Cyber Crime Coordinator or filing a follow-up application.
6. File an FIR at the local police station (if needed)
While the online portal is the primary channel, you also have the right to file an FIR at your nearest police station. Cybercrime is a cognizable offence, and the police are legally required to register your FIR. If they refuse, approach the Superintendent of Police (SP) or file a complaint before the Judicial Magistrate under Section 175(3) of the BNSS.
In practice: Some cyber police stations have dedicated officers who understand technology-related cases better than regular police stations. Check if your city has a dedicated Cyber Crime Police Station.
Types of cybercrime you can report
| Crime Type | IT Act Section | BNS Section | Punishment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hacking / unauthorised access | Section 66 | Section 336 | Up to 3 years + Rs 5 lakh fine |
| Identity theft | Section 66C | Section 318 | Up to 3 years + Rs 1 lakh fine |
| Cheating by impersonation (phishing) | Section 66D | Section 318 | Up to 3 years + Rs 1 lakh fine |
| Privacy violation (intimate images) | Section 66E | Section 77 (BNS) | Up to 3 years + Rs 2 lakh fine |
| Obscene content | Section 67 | — | Up to 5 years + Rs 10 lakh fine |
| Child sexual abuse material | Section 67B | POCSO Act | Up to 7 years + fine |
| Cyber terrorism | Section 66F | — | Life imprisonment |
| Online defamation | — | Section 356 (BNS) | Up to 2 years + fine |
| Criminal intimidation online | — | Section 351 (BNS) | Up to 2 years + fine |
What if things go wrong
If the police refuse to file your FIR
Write a complaint to the Superintendent of Police (SP). You can also file a complaint before the Judicial Magistrate under Section 175(3) of the BNSS directing the police to register the FIR. Additionally, you can approach the State or National Human Rights Commission.
If the cybercrime portal complaint is not acted upon
Escalate to the State Nodal Officer for Cybercrime (each state has one). You can also write to the Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. In extreme cases, file a writ petition before the High Court seeking directions to the police to investigate.
If the fraudster is from another state
Cybercrime has no geographical boundaries. You can file a complaint in the jurisdiction where you reside — you do not need to go to the state where the fraudster is located. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal automatically routes complaints to the relevant jurisdiction.
Documents and resources you need
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: https://cybercrime.gov.in
- Cybercrime helpline: 1930 (toll-free, for financial frauds)
- Screenshots — of fraudulent messages, emails, transactions, fake websites, or social media posts
- Bank statements — showing unauthorised transactions
- Transaction details — UPI reference number, transaction ID, date and time
- Suspect details — phone number, email, UPI ID, bank account, social media profile URL
- RBI Complaint Management System: https://cms.rbi.org.in (for bank-related cyber fraud escalation)
Common myths
Myth: Cybercrime is too technical for regular police to handle. Reality: India has dedicated Cyber Crime Police Stations in most major cities, staffed by officers trained in digital forensics. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal ensures your complaint reaches the right unit.
Myth: You can only report cybercrime if you lost money. Reality: You can report any cybercrime — harassment, stalking, defamation, identity theft, privacy violations — even if no financial loss occurred. The law protects your digital rights, not just your wallet.
Myth: If the amount lost is small, it is not worth reporting. Reality: Every complaint helps build a pattern. Many cyber fraudsters operate at scale — your small-amount complaint combined with hundreds of others can lead to the arrest of a major cybercrime network.
Myth: Anonymous complaints are not taken seriously. Reality: Anonymous complaints for child sexual abuse material and some other serious offences are accepted and investigated. The portal has a specific option for anonymous reporting.
The law behind this
| Statute | Key Provisions | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Information Technology Act, 2000 | Sections 43, 66, 66C, 66D, 66E, 67, 67B | Primary cybercrime legislation |
| BNS, 2023 | Sections 318, 336, 351, 356 | General criminal provisions applicable online |
| BNSS, 2023 | Section 175(3) | Remedy when police refuse to file FIR |
| POCSO Act, 2012 | Sections 13-15 | Child sexual abuse material |
| IT (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules, 2021 | Rule 3 | Platform obligations to remove content |
Frequently asked questions
Can I report cybercrime anonymously? Yes, but only for specific categories — primarily child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and sexually explicit content involving minors. For other cybercrimes, you need to register with your name and mobile number.
How long does it take for cybercrime complaints to be resolved? The timeline varies significantly depending on the complexity. Financial fraud complaints where you act within 24 hours may see action within days (transaction freeze, account freeze). Investigation of complex cases like hacking or stalking may take 30-90 days or longer.
What if the cybercrime was committed from outside India? If you are an Indian citizen and the crime affects you in India, you can report it on the portal. International cybercrime investigation is handled through Interpol and mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs). The process is slower but possible.
Can I withdraw a cybercrime complaint? For compoundable offences, yes. But for serious offences like child exploitation, the complaint cannot be withdrawn as it is a non-compoundable offence.
Do I need a lawyer to file a cybercrime complaint? No. The portal is designed for ordinary citizens. You can file a complaint yourself. However, if the case involves significant financial loss or complex facts, consulting a cyber law specialist can help strengthen your case.