How to Report a Scam or Fraud — Protect Yourself & Others

Scam and fraud complaints require fast action. The first 24-48 hours are critical for recovering money. This guide covers exactly what to do immediately after discovering you've been scammed.

1

Report to cybercrime immediately

File at cybercrime.gov.in (National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal) within 24 hours. For financial fraud, also call 1930 (Cyber Crime Helpline). Quick reporting increases the chance of freezing the scammer's account.

2

File an FIR at your local police station

Under IPC Section 420 (cheating) and IT Act Section 66D (identity theft). If the police refuse to file an FIR, you can approach the Superintendent of Police or file directly with the Magistrate under CrPC Section 156(3).

3

Report to your bank

For UPI/bank fraud, report to your bank within 3 days. Under RBI guidelines, if you report within 3 working days, your liability is limited to ₹0-25,000 depending on the type of fraud. Request a transaction reversal.

4

Preserve all evidence

Screenshot conversations, save transaction IDs, note phone numbers and email addresses used by the scammer. Do NOT delete any messages or call logs — these are evidence.

5

File on OUTCRY for public warning

Creating a public record helps warn others about the same scam pattern. Include the scammer's methods (not personal data) so others can recognize and avoid it.

Key Authorities & Helplines

National Cyber Crime Portal
India
cybercrime.gov.in
Cyber Crime Helpline
India
1930
RBI Sachet (Financial Fraud)
India
sachet.rbi.org.in
IC3 (FBI - US)
USA
ic3.gov
Action Fraud (UK)
UK
actionfraud.police.uk

Applicable Laws

Indian Penal Code — Section 420
Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property
Information Technology Act — Section 66C/66D
Identity theft and cheating by personation using computer resources
RBI Circular on Fraud — 2017-18/15
Customer liability limited if reported within 3 working days

Evidence Checklist

  • Transaction ID and amount
  • Screenshots of messages/emails from scammer
  • Phone numbers used by scammer
  • Bank statement showing the fraudulent transaction
  • Website URL or app name used for the scam
  • Any documents or links shared by the scammer

Pro Tips

  • → Time is critical — report within 24 hours for best chance of fund recovery
  • → Never share OTP, PIN, or CVV — no bank or company will ever ask for these
  • → If police refuse FIR, write to SP/Commissioner citing Supreme Court directive in Lalita Kumari v. Govt of UP
  • → For UPI fraud, also report through the UPI app's built-in dispute mechanism

Real Complaints in This Category

Mobile number ported without consent — identity theft suspected
Ahmedabad, India · 0 supporters
Romance scam on Hinge — sent $12,000 to fake military officer over 3 months
Los Angeles, United States · 30 supporters
WhatsApp investment group scam — lost £8,500 in fake forex trading platform
London, United Kingdom · 30 supporters
Ponzi scheme 'GrowFast Investments' — lost ₹5,00,000, promoters absconding
New Delhi, India · 30 supporters
Fake job offer scam — paid ₹15,000 'processing fee' for non-existent TCS position
Hyderabad, India · 30 supporters

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