Cheated online? What to do, step by step

Money stolen online can sometimes be stopped before it leaves the banking system — but only if it is reported quickly.

In the first hour

1. Call 1930, the national cybercrime helpline. Reporting quickly lets banks try to freeze the money.
2. Report it at cybercrime.gov.in, the national portal run by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and note the acknowledgement number.
3. Tell your bank: block the card or UPI, and ask for the transactions to be disputed.
4. Change passwords of your email, bank and social accounts, and switch on two-step login.

Keep the evidence

Screenshots of chats and messages, the phone numbers and profile names used, website addresses, and the transaction reference (UTR) of every payment. Do not delete anything.

Frauds to recognise

• “Digital arrest”. A video call from people posing as police, CBI, customs or a court, who say you are under arrest and must stay on the call and transfer money. No investigating agency arrests anyone over a video call or asks for money to “clear” a case.
• KYC and refund links that ask you to update details or install an app.
• Part-time job and “task” offers that pay a little at first and then ask for deposits.
• Investment groups promising high, guaranteed returns.
• Sextortion: threats to share recorded video calls. Do not pay; report it.

Report suspicious calls and messages

Fraud calls and messages can be reported on the Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi portal, which also lets you check how many mobile numbers are registered in your name.