Cyber Crime

Act fast

Money was taken from my account in a UPI fraud. What do I do first?

Call 1930 right away — every minute counts. Fast reporting lets police and banks try to freeze the money before the fraudster withdraws it. Then block UPI and cards with your bank and complete the complaint on cybercrime.gov.in. Recovery is not guaranteed.

Act fast

Someone on a video call says I am under 'digital arrest'. Is that real?

No. There is no 'digital arrest' in Indian law. Police, CBI, ED, customs or judges do not arrest anyone over a video call or ask for money to 'clear your name'. It is a scam. Cut the call and report it to 1930.

Act fast

Someone is blackmailing me with my private photos or videos.

Don't pay and don't panic. Threatening to leak private photos or videos to get money or favours is a serious crime. Stop replying, save the evidence and report it on cybercrime.gov.in. Platforms must remove your intimate images within 2 hours of your complaint.

Someone made a fake profile using my photos.

Report it to the platform first. Under the IT Rules, a platform must remove content impersonating you within 2 hours of your complaint. If the fake profile is used to cheat, harass or defame, it is also a crime — file a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in.

A loan app is harassing me and calling my contacts.

That is not allowed. RBI rules bar lenders and their agents from threatening or shaming you, and legal lending apps cannot access your contacts. Threats and morphed photos are also crimes. Report to 1930 or the police — but a genuine loan still has to be repaid.

Act fast

I paid money for an online job or task scam.

Stop paying and report it at once on 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in. Tricking you into paying for 'tasks', 'investments' or a 'release fee' is cheating, a crime. Genuine employers don't ask you to deposit money to earn, and more payments will not unlock your 'earnings'.

Act fast

My social media or email account was hacked.

Act fast to take it back. Use the platform's official recovery page, change your passwords and turn on two-step verification. Getting into someone's account without permission is an offence under the IT Act. If the hacker is misusing it or asking your friends for money, report it on cybercrime.gov.in.

Act fast

I shared an OTP or clicked a link by mistake. Will I get my money back?

Maybe not in full. Under RBI rules, if you shared your OTP or PIN, you usually bear the loss until you report it to the bank; after that, the bank does. Report to your bank and 1930 at once. From 1 January 2027, small losses can get part compensation.

Someone is abusing or threatening me online.

Threats, sexual remarks and damaging lies are crimes online too. Report and block first — platforms must act on complaints within fixed time limits. For threats to your safety, file a police complaint or report on cybercrime.gov.in. Rude criticism alone is usually not a crime.

Act fast

Someone made a fake or morphed video of me.

You can act fast. Making or sharing a fake or morphed video to cheat, defame or sexually humiliate you can be a crime. Report it to the platform — it must remove morphed content within 2 hours of your complaint. Save the evidence and report on cybercrime.gov.in.