Online financial fraud, through fake payment requests, investment schemes, impersonation calls or remote-access apps, moves money through several accounts within minutes. The sooner it is reported, the better the chance that the funds can be frozen.
Immediately
- Call the National Cyber Crime Helpline on 1930.
- File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in and note the acknowledgement number.
- Inform your bank in writing and ask it to block the card or account and dispute the transaction.
Preserve evidence
Take screenshots of messages, payment confirmations and transaction IDs, and note the phone numbers, websites or app names used. Do not delete chats or uninstall apps until the evidence has been saved.
Follow up
Follow up with the cyber cell and your bank. Where the amount is significant, an FIR may be registered for cheating under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and offences under the Information Technology Act. Release of frozen amounts generally requires an application through the proper legal process.
Under RBI rules, a customer who reports an unauthorised electronic transaction promptly may have limited or zero liability, depending on the circumstances, so do not delay informing your bank.