Overview
Cyber offences—from phishing and UPI fraud to morphing, stalking, and data theft—require swift evidence preservation. India's National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and local cyber cells coordinate registration and investigation.
Who does this apply to?
This guide applies to residents of India facing the process described above — including first-time filers, respondents, and anyone comparing DIY steps with professional legal help.
Step-by-step
1Secure devices and stop further loss
Change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, block compromised cards, and report unauthorized transactions to banks immediately. Do not delete evidence hastily.
2Preserve digital evidence
Screenshot URLs, profiles, chats, emails, and transaction IDs with timestamps. Export logs where possible. Store originals on external media for forensic integrity.
3Report on cybercrime.gov.in
File complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal for financial fraud, women/child safety issues, and other categories. Note acknowledgment number.
4Visit local cyber police station if required
Serious or high-value matters may need in-person follow-up at cyber cells. Carry printed evidence and identity proof.
5Coordinate with banks and platforms
Raise chargebacks or fraud disputes per bank policy. Request preservation of IP logs from platforms through police requisition—not informal requests alone.
6Engage cyber law counsel for recovery and trial
Civil recovery, injunctions against content, and criminal trial strategy benefit from advocates familiar with IT Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita cyber provisions as applicable.
Common mistakes
- Formatting phone or deleting chats before backup
- Paying "processing fees" to fake recovery agents after fraud
- Sharing OTP or remote access after initial compromise
- Filing incomplete complaints without transaction trail
- Publicly naming suspects without legal process