Lost Money to Cyber Fraud? How to Report on 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in

If you have lost money to a UPI, card, net-banking or wallet fraud, call the national cyber fraud helpline 1930 immediately, then file a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in. The first few hours matter most: once the money is withdrawn or moved on, it is much harder to trace.

What should you do in the first hour after a cyber fraud?

1. Stop all contact with the fraudster. Do not send more money, even if they promise a “refund” or ask for a “processing fee”.
2. Call 1930 (the National Cyber Crime Helpline run by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, I4C).
3. Call your bank’s fraud line and block the card, UPI ID or net-banking access that was misused.
4. Change your passwords (email, banking, UPI apps) from a device you trust.
5. Take screenshots of the chats, call logs, payment confirmations and the fraudster’s profile before anything is deleted.

What happens when you call 1930?

The helpline operator records your complaint in the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS). The system alerts the banks and wallets the money went to, so they can put the amount on hold if it is still there. You will receive an acknowledgement number by SMS. Keep it safe. You need it to complete the complaint online and to track it later.

Keep these details ready before you call:

• Your name, mobile number and address
• Your bank or wallet, and the app used
• Transaction ID or UTR number, date, time and amount of each debit
• The fraudster’s phone number, UPI ID, account number, website or social media profile

How do you file the complaint on cybercrime.gov.in?

1. Open cybercrime.gov.in and choose “Report Cyber Crime” and then the financial fraud category.
2. Register or log in with your Indian mobile number and the OTP.
3. Enter the 1930 acknowledgement number so both are linked. Do this as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of the call.
4. Describe what happened in date-and-time order. Add each transaction separately.
5. Upload your ID proof and the evidence (bank statement, screenshots, SMS alerts).
6. Submit and note the complaint number. Use “Track your complaint” to follow it.

If no payment was made (for example, hacking, a fake profile or online harassment), you can skip 1930 and file directly on the portal.

Will the police register an FIR?

A portal complaint is not automatically an FIR. The police examine it and may call you for more details. Under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) (old Section 154 CrPC), information about a cognizable offence can be given electronically, but you must sign it within three days for it to be taken on record. For large losses, the I4C’s e-Zero FIR system turns high-value complaints into FIRs automatically. It is being rolled out state by state, so ask your local cyber cell whether it applies to you. If the police do not act, you can approach the Superintendent of Police, and then the Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS.

How do you get the held money back?

Money on hold is not returned automatically. Under the Ministry of Home Affairs’ SOP on cyber financial frauds dated 2 January 2026, there are two main routes:

• Money restoration through the police: the investigating officer verifies the claim through the NCRP’s online money restoration module and directs the bank to return the held amount.
• Court order: you apply to the jurisdictional Magistrate under Sections 497 and 503 BNSS for release of the money. In Ghaziabad and Noida this is the court with jurisdiction over the police station that registered the case.

Lawyers often see delay at this stage. A properly drafted release application, with the bank statement, complaint number and an undertaking, usually speeds things up.

Can your bank refund the money?

Yes, in many cases. Under the RBI framework on customer liability, if the fraud happened because of a third-party breach (not your own negligence, such as sharing an OTP) and you report it to your bank within 3 working days, your liability is zero. For electronic transactions from 1 January 2027, at commercial banks, the RBI’s Responsible Business Conduct Third Amendment Directions, 2026 extend this to 5 calendar days. They also add a one-time compensation for small frauds (85% of the net loss or ₹25,000, whichever is lower, for losses up to ₹50,000) if you report to 1930 or the portal and to your bank within 5 days. Read more in our guide on card fraud and zero liability. If the bank refuses, complain to the bank’s grievance officer and then the RBI Ombudsman.

What if your own bank account gets frozen?

Sometimes the account of an innocent person who received a payment is frozen because the money passed through it. The MHA SOP provides a grievance process for this, and the hold should be limited to the disputed amount. See our step-by-step guide: bank account frozen over a cyber fraud.

When should you consult a cybercrime lawyer?

Speak to a lawyer if a large amount is involved, the police have not registered an FIR, the money is on hold but not being released, or your own account has been frozen. Our cybercrime lawyer in Noida and Ghaziabad can file the release application, follow up with the cyber cell and handle the bank and RBI Ombudsman complaints. You can also read about our wider criminal law practice or book a consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Is 1930 a free number?

Yes. 1930 is a toll-free national helpline. You can call it from any phone in India. You can also report on cybercrime.gov.in at any time.

Is there a time limit to report a cyber fraud?

There is no fixed deadline to file a police complaint, but delay sharply reduces the chance of recovery. For a bank refund, the RBI reporting windows (3 working days now, 5 calendar days from 1 January 2027) matter, so tell your bank at once.

Do I need to go to the police station?

Usually you can start online. You may be called to the cyber police station to verify details, sign the e-FIR within three days, or give a statement.

How long does it take to get the money back?

It depends on how quickly the money was put on hold and on how the case moves. Restoration through the police module or a court order can take weeks to months. Prompt follow-up helps.

Can I file a complaint for someone else?

Yes, a family member can report on the victim’s behalf, but the victim’s bank details and statement will be needed for restoration.

Sources

• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 — Sections 173, 175(3), 497 and 503 (old Sections 154, 156(3), 451 and 457 CrPC)
• Ministry of Home Affairs, Standard Operating Procedure on Cyber Financial Frauds, 2 January 2026 (Grievance Redressal and Money Restoration Modules, NCRP–CFCFRMS)
• Reserve Bank of India, rules on limiting customer liability in unauthorised electronic banking transactions (first issued 6 July 2017; now part of the RBI (Commercial Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Directions, 2025)
• Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Third Amendment Directions, 2026 (24 June 2026; effective 1 January 2027)
• In Re: Victims of Digital Arrest Related to Forged Documents, 2026 SCC OnLine SC 1532 (Supreme Court, order of 4 August 2026)
• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, cybercrime.gov.in; National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 (I4C, Ministry of Home Affairs)

This article is general legal information, not legal advice for your specific case. Law and procedure change; please consult an advocate before acting.