How to report cyber fraud on 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in
If you lose money to online fraud, the official national cyber crime helpline is 1930. Calling this number immediately alerts the receiving bank to freeze the stolen funds. You then file a formal complaint on the national cyber crime reporting portal at cybercrime.gov.in within 24 hours.
By Qrates research desk · 2026-10-27
Quick answer
- Call the 1930 cyber crime helpline immediately to freeze the stolen funds.
- Report the transaction to your bank within three working days to limit your liability under RBI guidelines. If you are specifically dealing with a digital payment, review these UPI fraud recovery steps to act quickly.
- File a formal complaint on the official national cyber crime reporting portal at cybercrime.gov.in within 24 hours.
What you need before you start
- Your bank statement showing the exact financial fraud amount and time.
- The transaction ID or UTR number for the UPI scam or bank transfer.
- Screenshots of the fake website, WhatsApp chats, or SMS messages used by the fraudster.
- Your government ID and a working phone number to receive the acknowledgement number.
Step-by-step: How to file a cyber crime complaint online
Step 1: Call the 1930 helpline
Dial 1930 and provide the transaction ID to the operator. The operator logs your transaction details on a central system. This alerts the fraudster's bank to block the money before they can withdraw it.
Step 2: Register on cybercrime.gov.in
Go to cybercrime.gov.in and click 'Report Cyber Crime'. Create an account and fill in the incident details. The portal generates a 14-digit acknowledgement number upon submission of your complaint.
Step 3: Submit a written dispute to your bank
Email or visit your bank branch with the cybercrime.gov.in receipt. The RBI Circular on Limiting Liability of Customers states that reporting an unauthorised transaction within three working days limits your financial liability. This step initiates the bank refund process. If your issue involves specific app permissions or fees, you might also want to compare Google Pay vs PhonePe to ensure your app settings are secure.
Step 4: Track your complaint status
Log back into the national cyber crime reporting portal. You can check if the local cyber cell has converted your complaint into an FIR. You will need your phone number and the 14-digit acknowledgement number to log in.
How long it takes and what it costs
| Action | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Calling 1930 | Free | Immediate bank alert |
| Filing on cybercrime.gov.in | Free | Within 24 hours of the fraud |
| Bank refund for unauthorised transaction | Free | Up to 10 working days |
| Stolen money recovery via police | Free | Several months |
The cyber crime reporting process is free of charge for all citizens. The initial bank freeze happens within a few hours if reported immediately. Stolen money recovery depends on police investigation and court orders under the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita procedures.
If it does not work
- Escalate the issue to your bank's Principal Nodal Officer if the bank refuses to refund an unauthorised transaction reported within three working days.
- File a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in if the bank does not resolve the dispute within 30 days.
- Visit your local police station with printed evidence to manually register an FIR if the online portal shows no progress after a week. Always be wary of suspicious platforms; check if a service is safe and registered in India before providing financial details.
FAQs
What happens when you call 1930?
The 1930 operator logs your transaction details on a central system. This alerts the fraudster's bank to block the money before they can withdraw it. The helpline is the official national cyber crime helpline in India.
Can I get my money back after cyber fraud?
You can get your money back if the funds are frozen in time by the receiving bank. You are also eligible for a refund if you report an unauthorised transaction to your bank within three working days. The return of property in cyber fraud cases follows guidelines under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
How to track cyber crime complaint status?
You can track your status by logging into cybercrime.gov.in. You will need to enter your phone number and your 14-digit acknowledgement number. The portal shows the current status of your police complaint. If you are looking for more resources, you can compare money apps side by side to see which platforms offer better security features.
How much time it takes to resolve cyber crime complaint?
Resolution times vary widely based on the type of fraud. A bank refund for an unauthorised transaction takes up to 10 working days. Recovering funds frozen by police requires a court order and takes much longer.
The short version
- The official national cyber crime helpline in India is 1930.
- The national cyber crime reporting portal generates a 14-digit acknowledgement number for your complaint.
- Reporting an unauthorised transaction to your bank within three working days limits your financial liability.
- A bank refund for an unauthorised transaction takes up to 10 working days.
- Unresolved bank disputes can be escalated to the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in after 30 days.
Sources
- Cybercrime Portal (cybercrime.gov.in)
- Notifications | Official Website of Reserve Bank of India
- Reserve Bank Of India
- Home | Official website of Reserve Bank of India
- The%20bharatiya%20nagarik%20suraksha%20sanhita,%202023 (PDF, prsindia.org)
- RBI Notifies Digital Fraud Compensation: 85% of Loss up to ₹25,000 for Scam Victims From 2027, UPSC Current Affairs 2026
- Cyber Crime Victim Fund Recovery Advocate Vadodara | BNSS
- RBI Fraud Risk Management Directions 2026: 7 Timelines Banks Must Track