Online frauds move fast: fake bank or courier calls, UPI "collect" requests, investment and task scams, fake "digital arrest" video calls, and links that steal card details. If money has left your account, the first few hours matter most, because the money is often passed through several accounts within minutes.
Do this immediately
- Call 1930, the National Cyber Crime Helpline, and give the transaction details. They can alert the banks to hold the money.
- File a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in and note the acknowledgement number.
- Inform your bank in writing and block cards, UPI and net banking. Prompt reporting can limit your liability under RBI rules on unauthorised transactions.
- Save evidence: screenshots of chats, call logs, the fraudster's number or profile, links, and bank SMS alerts.
What the law says
Online frauds are covered by the Information Technology Act, 2000, including identity theft (Section 66C) and cheating by personation using a computer resource (Section 66D), and by the cheating provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Sections 318 and 319).
Getting your money back
When the police freeze money in the accounts that received it, it is not returned automatically. An application usually has to be made before the court for release of the frozen amount to the victim, supported by the complaint and bank records. Following up with the cyber police station in Gurugram and pressing for an FIR where the amount is significant also helps.
Things to avoid
- Never pay anyone who offers to "recover" your money for a fee; this is a common second scam.
- Never share OTPs, screen access or card details, even with someone claiming to be the police or your bank.
- There is no such thing as a "digital arrest". Real police do not keep people on video calls or demand money to close a case.
How we can help
- Drafting a complete complaint and following it up with the cyber police
- Applications before the court for release of frozen money to you
- Representation if the matter goes to trial