How to Report Cyber Fraud in India: 1930 Helpline and cybercrime.gov.in Guide

If you have lost money to an online fraud in India, the two things to remember are 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in. 1930 is the National Cyber Crime Helpline. cybercrime.gov.in is the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal run under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Used together and used fast, they give you the best chance of stopping your money before scammers move it.

The problem is big. Reported figures show over 24 lakh complaints on the national portal in 2025, with about ₹22,495 crore reported lost. The good news: the government says the reporting system behind 1930 has saved over ₹7,000 crore so far by helping banks hold money in time.

Step 1: Call 1930 immediately (the "golden hour")

The first hour after a fraud is often called the golden hour. Scammers quickly move stolen money through many "mule" accounts. The faster you report, the better the chance that banks can put a hold on it.

1. Dial 1930 from any phone. It is toll-free.
2. Tell the operator you are reporting a financial cyber fraud.
3. Give the details listed below: amount, date and time, your bank and account or UPI ID, the transaction ID or UTR number, and where the money went.
4. You should receive an SMS with a complaint acknowledgement number. Do not delete it. You will need it for the online complaint.

Your report goes into the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS). This system alerts the banks and payment companies involved so they can try to stop the money from moving further.

If the line is busy, keep trying, and go straight to the portal (Step 2) at the same time. Do not wait for the money to "come back on its own".

Step 2: File the complaint on cybercrime.gov.in

A phone call alone is not the full complaint. Complete it on the portal within a day or two, using your acknowledgement number if you have one.

1. Go to cybercrime.gov.in. Check the address carefully. Scammers also make fake look-alike sites.
2. Choose the option to report financial fraud. (There are separate options for crimes against women and children and other cyber crimes.)
3. Register or log in with your mobile number and the OTP sent to it.
4. Fill in the incident details, the transactions, and suspect details such as phone numbers, UPI IDs, bank accounts and website links.
5. Upload your evidence and a government ID (such as Aadhaar, PAN or passport).
6. Submit and save your complaint reference number. You can use it to track the status of your complaint.

Step 3: Inform your bank in writing

Call your bank's official fraud number (from the back of your card or the bank's app or website) and also send a written complaint by email, app or at your branch. Ask them to:

• Block your debit and credit cards and secure your UPI and net banking.
• Raise a fraud dispute on the transaction and give you a reference number.
• Tell you about the status of any amount put on hold.

RBI rules on unauthorised electronic transactions say that if fraud happens through no fault of yours and you report within three working days, your liability can be zero. Banks must also credit the disputed amount within 10 working days in such cases while they investigate. These rules do not usually cover payments you made yourself after being tricked, but quick reporting still matters.

What details to keep ready

Write these down or keep screenshots before you call 1930:

• Your name, mobile number and address.
• Your bank name, account number or UPI ID.
• Amount lost, plus the date and time of each transaction.
• Transaction ID / UTR number for each payment (found in your bank SMS or UPI app history).
• The receiving account number, UPI ID, wallet address or merchant name.
• The scammer's phone numbers, WhatsApp or Telegram usernames, email IDs and website or app links.
• Screenshots of chats, fake documents, payment pages and your bank statement.

The portal accepts files up to a size limit, so crop large screenshots and save chats as PDF where possible.

What happens after you report

• Money on hold: If banks find your money in the fraudster's accounts, they may freeze it. Getting it released usually needs a police process or court order, and it can take time.
• Police follow-up: Your complaint is sent to the cyber police in your state or district. They may call you for more details. Keep your phone on and answer from known numbers.
• e-Zero FIR for large losses: Under a scheme launched in May 2025, starting with Delhi, complaints above ₹10 lakh made through 1930 or the portal can be turned into a Zero FIR automatically. You then have three days to visit the cyber police station to convert it into a regular FIR.
• Large or complex cases: You can also visit your nearest cyber crime police station and ask to register an FIR. Take printouts of your complaint and evidence.

How to follow up

1. Track your complaint on the portal using the reference number.
2. Keep a diary of every call: date, time, officer's name and what they said.
3. Visit or write to your local cyber cell if there is no update after a few weeks.
4. Follow up with your bank's grievance officer if they do not respond. If the bank does not resolve your complaint, you can approach the RBI Ombudsman.

Red flags after you report: fake officers and recovery agents

Scammers target people who have just lost money. Be careful if someone:

• Calls saying they are from "1930", the "cyber cell", CBI or RBI and asks for a fee to release your money.
• Asks you to share your OTP, screen or remote access "to process the refund".
• Sends a "court notice" or "arrest warrant" on WhatsApp. Real police do not arrest people on video calls. Read about the digital arrest scam.
• Offers to recover your money through "hackers" or "advocates" for an advance payment. See recovery scams.

Government bodies do not charge you to process a cyber fraud complaint.

Not lost money yet? Report suspicious calls and messages

If you received a fraud call or message but did not lose money, you can report it on the Department of Telecommunications' Chakshu facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal. Chakshu is for suspected fraud communication. If money has already been lost, use 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in.

If you or a family member is stuck abroad in a fake job, Indian nationals can ask for help through the MEA's MADAD portal. Read fake job offer abroad scams to learn the warning signs.

What to do: quick summary

1. Call 1930 right away and note the acknowledgement number.
2. File the full complaint on cybercrime.gov.in with evidence.
3. Inform your bank in writing and block cards or UPI.
4. Keep all evidence and follow up regularly.
5. Never pay anyone who promises to get your money back.

For other countries and general steps, see what to do if you've been scammed. You can also report a scam to us to help warn others.