How to report a Cybercrime? Steps to file a cyber crime complaint

The process to report a cybercrime case in India

If you’ve been a victim of a cybercrime in India, it’s important to report the incident to the appropriate authorities. Here are the general steps you can follow:

1. Collect All Evidences:

Transactions: Keep copies (screenshots) of any financial transactions related to the crime.
Screenshots: Capture screenshots of any relevant emails, messages, or online conversations.
Passwords: Change your passwords for all affected accounts immediately in case of social media-related cybercrimes.

2. Identify the Appropriate Authority:

Call 1930: The National Helpline number for reporting financial cyber frauds in India is 1930.
Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: Visit the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in/) and file a complaint online.
Local Police Station: If the crime is serious or urgent, report it to your local police station immediately.

How to file a cybercrime complaint online?

Step 1: Visit the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal https://cybercrime.gov.in

Step 2: Click on the Register a Complaint

Step 3: Select the cybercrime category

Option 1 – Women/Children Related Crime
Option 2 – Financial Fraud
Option 3 – Other Cybercrimes

Step 4: Click on the relevant category option and “Register a Complaint”

Step 5: Click on File a Complaint

Step 6: Click on I Accept

Step 7: Click here for new user

Step 8: File details and verify the account

Step 9: Fill in all the details related to cybercrime

Provide Details: Clearly explain the nature of the crime, including dates, times, and any financial losses.
Submit Evidence: Attach the collected evidence to your complaint.

Still confused, watch the complete video here – how to report a cybercrime online.

Case Study:

Rajesh was duped with 30,000 rupees. Someone told him to visit the cybercrime police station and report the case. When he visited the cybercrime police station, he was told that we have criteria for financial fraud cases of 5 lakhs and above only. He asked the officer if he needed to ask the fraudster to withdraw 4,70000 more so that his case could be registered at the cybercrime police station.

Often people think cybercrimes can be reported to cyber cell and not to their local police

Most people aren’t aware of the correct procedure to be followed when reporting crimes.

What does cybercell do?

Cybercell is responsible for assisting field investigation units in their cases as and when cyber-based investigation is required. Cybercell does not register cybercrime cases, they assist concerned police stations in their investigation. Also, the supervisory officer can assign case investigation to some officer posted at cybercell when required.

Cyber Fraud Helpline 1930

Cybercrimes can be reported Online:

Cybercrimes can be reported online on National Cybercrime reporting portal www.cybercrime.gov.in

Once someone calls on 1930 helpline number, the victim would be notified with an SMS including the link to cybercrime.gov.in where the victim is supposed to fill in the details of the fraudulent transaction(s). Further when the details are submitted the cybercrime helpline team debit freezes the bank accounts/e-wallets involved in receiving this fraudulent amount. The chances of debit freezing the fraudulent amount are higher when reported timely. The case is then forwarded to the local police station of the victim as per the address mentioned. The local police station can then treat the case as a complaint or can convert it into an FIR. So, the victim can visit their local police station to know the case progress from the assigned investigation officer.

A local police station is authorized to register all types of cybercrime Police officers of the rank of Inspector can investigate IT Act cases. Problems arise in rural areas where most of the police stations are headed by sub-inspector rank officers. In such cases, a circle officer who is a DySP rank officer or senior officer can assign the case to other officers in the circle/district with the rank of Inspector.
In Rajasthan, currently, there are two Cybercrime police One is a state-level cybercrime police station that is under SOG. It registers financial fraud cases of 5 lakhs and above. Another police station is by the name Special Offences and Cybercrime which is under Police Commissionerate Jaipur, and it registers cyber fraud cases of 1 lakh and above. Cybercrime Police stations have other case registration criteria as well- child pornography, hacking cases related to Government data/servers, etc. Since the cybercrime police stations have a limited team they can’t register all the cases.
In Jaipur city, every zone (East/West/North/South) has a dedicated cybercrime unit. Once the case is registered with the local police Case can be then forwarded to the cybercrime unit for further assistance in the investigation. The cybercrime unit assists them in the technical investigation. Once the investigation is over, the case is handed over to the concerned police station for further action.

Cases are registered on the base of jurisdiction and place of Wherein in cybercrime cases, the place of incident is itself debatable. At times the incident may be older but when victims get to know about it. He/she may be traveling. Hence, they face problems in registering the case because the duty officer at the police station will ask about the date of the incident or the bank account. It happens in many cases when.

Victim keeps on visiting here and there to register cases due to this confusion of jurisdiction. Let us say, there is a case of financial fraud and the bank account is a personal account of the Bhopal branch but the person currently lives in Mansarovar Jaipur. Here, the case can be registered at Mansarovar Police Station.

If there is any cybercrime case related to any company, the jurisdiction will be of the local police as per the registered office of the company. If anyone still faces issues regarding case registration, they can always report it to the SP/DCP of their district. Victims can also tweet to seek help by tagging the Rajasthan Police Help Desk @rajpolicehelp.

Ex-CM Shri Ashok Gehlot has announced dedicated cybercrime police stations in every district of Rajasthan in the budget. Once they are set up, their criteria for case registration will also be set. I believe the local police stations will still have the power to register cybercrime – Cyber Expert Mukesh Choudhary.