“Cybercrime cases in India crossed 1.2 million complaints in 2024 — a 54% jump from the previous year.” — National Cyber Crime Portal Data
UPI fraud, WhatsApp scams, Instagram hacking, fake investment apps, sextortion, credit card theft, SIM swapping, deepfake blackmail —
cybercrime in India has exploded.
And if you think banks or platforms will magically fix it, you’re wrong.
The ONLY way to legally protect yourself, recover money (when possible), and stop further misuse is by filing a Cyber Crime FIR.
Unfortunately, most victims either don’t know the process or waste critical hours trying to “contact customer care,” which scammers exploit.
Here’s the exact process — fast, practical, and updated for 2025.
The Bangalore Man Who Saved ₹1.8 Lakhs by Filing FIR Within 2 Hours
In July 2024, a tech employee’s UPI ID was compromised through a fake “KYC update” link.
₹1,80,000 was transferred instantly via multiple micro transactions.
Instead of panicking, he immediately:
- Called 1930 (National Cyber Helpline)
- Filed a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in
- Reported to his bank with complaint ID
- Visited local police station to convert complaint into an FIR
Because he acted fast, the bank froze the beneficiary account and reversed ₹1,32,000 — something impossible if delayed.
What Is a Cyber Crime FIR?
A Cyber Crime FIR is a criminal complaint registered under the IT Act, IPC, or both, for offenses like:
- Financial fraud (UPI, credit card, net banking)
- Identity theft
- Online harassment, stalking, blackmail
- Hacking, phishing, data theft
- Sextortion, revenge porn
- Fake job scams
- Online shopping frauds
- Fake investment apps & crypto scams
Your FIR is the OFFICIAL record that forces cyber cells, banks, payment gateways, and telecom companies to act.
Where to File Cyber Crime Complaint? (3-Level System)
| Platform | What You Can File | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 Helpline | Immediate blocking of fraudulent transaction | Financial fraud within last few hours |
| cybercrime.gov.in | Online portal complaint | Any cybercrime |
| Local Police Station / Cyber Cell | Formal FIR | Mandatory for investigation |
How to File a Cyber Crime FIR (Step-by-Step Process)
Step 1: Call 1930 (Cyber Fraud Helpline) — IMMEDIATELY
- Share transaction ID
- Beneficiary account details (if visible)
- Your UPI ID / bank account
- Time of fraud
They generate a “ticket ID” and freeze the beneficiary bank account.
Step 2: File a Complaint on cybercrime.gov.in
- Select category: financial fraud / harassment / hacking, etc.
- Upload screenshots and evidence
- Submit ID details
- Receive an acknowledgment & complaint number
This complaint is forwarded to your nearest cyber police station.
Step 3: Visit Local Police Station to Convert Complaint into FIR
Take:
- cybercrime.gov.in complaint number
- 1930 ticket ID
- Evidence printouts
- ID proof
The police must register FIR under relevant IPC & IT Act sections.
Which Sections Apply in Cyber Crime FIRs?
Police commonly register cases under:
- Section 66C IT Act: Identity theft
- Section 66D IT Act: Online cheating
- Section 67 IT Act: Obscene content
- Section 419 IPC: Impersonation
- Section 420 IPC: Cheating
- Section 384 IPC: Extortion (sextortion cases)
- Section 468/471 IPC: Forgery
Evidence You MUST Collect Before Filing FIR
- Screenshots of chats, emails, or fake profiles
- Bank messages / UPI transaction IDs
- Links/screenshots of fraudulent pages
- Call recordings (if any)
- Device logs
- IP address info (for hacking cases)
Strong evidence = faster action.
Types of Cyber Crimes & How to Report Them
1. UPI / Banking Fraud
File under: 1930 + cybercrime.gov.in → FIR
- Fake KYC updates
- Remote access apps
- Phishing links
- QR code scams
2. Online Shopping / Marketplace Fraud
- Fake Instagram shops
- Non-delivered products
- Counterfeit goods
3. Sextortion / Blackmail
- Threatening to leak videos
- Fake video calls
- Deepfake harassment
4. Hacking / Account Takeover
- Instagram account stolen
- Email compromised
- WhatsApp hacked
5. Social Media Harassment
- Abusive DMs
- Impersonation
- Character assassination
What Happens After You File the FIR?
- Cyber cell starts investigation
- Banks freeze the scammer’s account
- Payment gateways share transaction trail
- Telecom companies trace IPs / number owner
- Cyber police may conduct account seizures
- Chargesheet filed against accused
The faster you act, the higher the chance of recovering money or stopping misuse.
Expected Timeline for Cyber Crime Cases (Realistic 2025)
| Stage | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| 1930 Helpline Blocking | Within minutes |
| Online Portal Complaint | Same day |
| FIR Registration | 1–3 days |
| Investigation | 1–6 months |
| Chargesheet | 6–12 months |
Do’s & Don’ts After Cyber Fraud
Do’s
- Act within minutes — delays kill recovery chances
- Call 1930 FIRST
- Preserve screenshots & messages
- Report to police even if amount is small
- Change passwords immediately
Don’ts
- Don’t delete chats or close accounts
- Don’t trust “refund agents” or fake customer care
- Don’t pay blackmailers
- Don’t delay FIR out of fear or embarrassment
Conclusion
Cybercrime is no longer a technical problem — it’s a daily threat.
But India’s cybercrime system has improved significantly.
If you follow the right steps within the right time, you can block transactions, trace offenders, and secure your digital identity.
Always remember: The first 2 hours after cyber fraud decide everything.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This blog provides general information about filing cybercrime FIRs in India.
It is not legal advice. Cybercrime cases vary significantly based on facts, device data, bank response, and technical evidence.
Always consult cyber law experts or local cyber police for specific guidance.
