Key Statistics on Cyber Fraud in India

Massive Financial Losses

• ₹1,750 crorelost between January and April 2024 due to cyber fraud, with over 740,000 complaints reported on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.

Frequency of Cybercrime

• An average of 7,000 cybercrime complaintswere recorded daily in May 2024, marking a staggering 7% increase compared to previous years
• Indians lose between ₹1.3 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh every minuteto cyber criminals, highlighting the rapid pace at which fraud occurs
• The number of cyber fraud incidents skyrocketed from 75,800 cases in FY23to 292,800 cases in FY24, with losses escalating from ₹421.4 crore to approximately ₹2,054.6 crore during the same period

Types of Cyber Fraud

• The majority of complaints (about 85%) relate to financial online fraud, including investment scams, gaming apps, and OTP scams.
• In 2023 alone, there were over 100,000 reported investment fraud incidents, leading to significant financial losses for victims
• Common types of scams include:
  • KYC expiry fraud (35%)
  • Sextortion scams (24%)
  • QR code scams (22%)

These scams often originate from both domestic and international sources, particularly from countries like China and Cambodia.

Volume of Complaints

• The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) recorded a staggering 740,957 complaintsfrom January to April 2024, averaging about 7,000 complaints per day. This marks a significant rise from previous years:
  • 2019: 26,049 complaints
  • 2020: 257,777 complaints
  • 2021: 452,414 complaints
  • 2022: 966,790 complaints
  • 2023: 1,556,218 complaints

Section 1: Introduction

What is Cyber Fraud?

Cyber fraud refers to fraudulent activities conducted through the internet or digital platforms. It involves stealing personal information, financial assets, or sensitive data. Fraudsters use unauthorized access, manipulation, and the misuse of technology.

Cyber Fraud in India: Rising Threat Amidst Rapid Digitalization

As digital adoption surges in India, cyber fraud has rapidly escalated, impacting both urban and rural populations. From January to April 2024 alone, Indians reported losses exceeding ₹1,750 crore due to cyber fraud, with nearly 740,000 cases registered, representing a 60% increase over previous years. On average, 7,000 complaints were filed daily via the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, a testament to the pervasive threat of cyber fraud in daily life.

Expansion of Digital Services and Rising Vulnerabilities

India’s digital landscape has transformed over the past decade, with internet penetration reaching over 840 million users by 2023. This increased digital access has enabled economic inclusion and convenience in transactions, primarily through digital payment systems like the Unified Payment Interface (UPI). In FY2024, UPI transactions alone totalled around $1.5 trillion, underscoring the country’s pivot to a digital economy. However, this shift brings increased vulnerability to financial fraud, identity theft, and data breaches. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), cyber fraud incidents in banking surged from 75,800 cases in FY2023 to 88,400 cases in FY2024, resulting in a reported loss of ₹287 crore.

Diverse Forms of Cyber Fraud in India

Cyber fraud in India encompasses various forms, each leveraging digital systems to deceive or manipulate victims. Key types include:

1. Financial and Banking Fraud: This category includes unauthorised transactions, OTP (One-Time Password) scams, and fraudulent loan apps. With the expansion of UPI and digital wallets, financial cybercrime has become increasingly sophisticated, causing extensive losses.
2. Phishing and Identity Theft: Phishing, where fraudsters impersonate trusted entities to steal personal information, is among the most prevalent cybercrimes. Reports show phishing incidents grew substantially from 2020 to 2024, driven by the shift to digital-first services.
3. Online Investment Scams: Investment fraud schemes, particularly on social media platforms and messaging apps, accounted for significant losses. From January to April 2024, investment scams alone led to losses of ₹222 crore, illustrating the financial impact of this form of cybercrime.
4. Corporate Data Breaches and Cyber Espionage: Indian businesses across sectors—especially finance, healthcare, and technology—face the risk of data breaches and targeted cyber-attacks, costing organizations millions in mitigation and reputational damage. In fact, the average cost of a data breach in India was around ₹165 million in 2023.

Legal Framework and Challenges

India’s primary legal tool for addressing cyber fraud is the Information Technology (IT) Act of 2000, which was enacted to address cyber-related offenses. This Act includes provisions specifically targeting unauthorized access, data theft, and identity fraud. Key sections like Section 66C (Identity Theft) and Section 66D (Impersonation) address the core types of cyber fraud seen in India, providing penalties for digital deception and unauthorized access.

However, the IT Act faces limitations in covering the full spectrum of emerging cyber fraud techniques, especially as cybercriminals continue to adapt to new digital environments. Complementary to the IT Act, the BNS includes provisions such as Section 318 (Cheating), often applied to cases involving fraud in digital contexts. To reinforce these laws, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced guidelines for financial institutions, mandating measures such as two-factor authentication and regular customer education to prevent fraud in digital banking.

Centralized Efforts and Public Awareness Initiatives

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to centralize cybercrime prevention efforts. The I4C initiative includes the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, which enables citizens to report cybercrimes, and the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System, a tool aimed at halting fraudulent transactions and recovering funds. Since its launch, this system has successfully recovered ₹1,200 crore across 4.7 lakh complaints, providing a lifeline for victims of financial cyber fraud. Moreover, public awareness initiatives like the CyberDost social media campaign help inform citizens on recognizing and preventing cyber fraud.

International Challenges and Cooperation

Cyber fraud is often a cross-border challenge, with attacks originating from various global locations. India has initiated partnerships, such as the India-U.S. Cyber Framework, to strengthen international collaboration in tackling cybercrime. However, discrepancies in legal frameworks, cybersecurity standards, and resource allocation between countries often hamper these efforts.

Section 2: Understanding Cyber Fraud

Major Types of Cyber Fraud in India

1. Phishing and Identity Theft

Phishing involves deceiving victims into disclosing sensitive personal information like passwords, credit card numbers, or OTPs (One-Time Passwords) by impersonating a trusted organization or individual. Phishing is often the first step to identity theft, where the fraudster uses stolen information to make unauthorized purchases, withdraw funds, or commit further fraud.

Phishing scams often evolve to target the vulnerabilities of certain demographics. For example, rural populations in India, new to digital platforms, may be more easily deceived by fake SMS messages or phone calls claiming to be from trusted authorities or banking institutions.

2. Online Banking and Financial Frauds

Online banking fraud has become one of the most reported forms of cybercrime in India. Scammers use tactics like fake customer service numbers, fraudulent transaction authorizations, and malicious apps to access funds directly from users’ bank accounts. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported that financial cyber fraud in FY2024 resulted in ₹287 crore in losses across various schemes, underscoring the widespread threat to digital banking.

• UPI and OTP Scams: A significant portion of these frauds involve UPI transactions and OTPs. Scammers often pretend to be representatives from customer service to deceive users into sharing OTPs, which are then used to authorize transactions. Data from Business Standard indicates that, in the first four months of 2024 alone, losses from cyber fraud reached ₹1,750 crore.
• QR Code Scams: Another method involves QR codes, where users are prompted to scan a QR code, believing it will facilitate a payment. Instead, it debits their account, transferring funds to the scammer’s wallet.

3. Social Media and Investment Scams

With the growing influence of social media, investment scams have surged, especially targeting young adults looking for quick returns. Fraudsters use platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram to promote “guaranteed” investment schemes or “one-time” offers that are often too good to be true.

The scams often play on aspirational values, luring individuals with promises of financial security or prosperity. Despite increasing awareness, the combination of fake success stories and professional-looking websites makes it difficult for victims to recognize these schemes as fraudulent.

4. Corporate Data Breaches and Cyber Espionage

Corporations, especially those in finance, healthcare, and technology, are frequent targets of data breaches and cyber espionage. Breaches can result in the loss of sensitive information, impacting clients, employees, and even national security. Cyber espionage is a targeted form of data breach where hackers infiltrate networks to extract intellectual property, financial records, or trade secrets.

Corporate data breaches can have extensive legal and financial consequences. Many organizations now face regulatory mandates to secure sensitive information, while law enforcement agencies struggle to keep pace with the sophistication of corporate cyber-attacks.

5. Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

Cyberbullying and harassment represent a non-financial yet socially impactful form of cybercrime, affecting teenagers, women, and even adults. Social media has become a platform where harassment, stalking, and online abuse proliferate.

The rise of cyberbullying and harassment, particularly on social media, has necessitated legal measures to curb online abuse. However, tracking and prosecuting offenders remains challenging due to anonymity options on many digital platforms.

Methods and Techniques of Cyber Fraud

Cyber fraudsters continually refine their techniques, taking advantage of emerging technologies and exploiting new weaknesses. Commonly used methods include:

• Social Engineering: Manipulating individuals into providing personal information, often by impersonating trusted entities (like banks or government authorities).
• Malware and Ransomware: Malware, like spyware and ransomware, enables criminals to extract information from devices or demand payment by encrypting data. Ransomware attacks have grown globally, including India, where companies and hospitals have been forced to pay millions to regain access to their data.
• Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): APTs are long-term attacks where cybercriminals gain and maintain unauthorized access to a network, often undetected. APTs are usually aimed at high-value targets, including governments and multinational corporations.

Economic and Societal Impact

Cyber fraud has economic, psychological, and social consequences. Financially, cyber fraud costs India billions annually, impacting not only direct victims but also the economy at large. The Data Security Council of India (DSCI) estimates that cybercrime costs India nearly $10 billion annually, a figure expected to increase as digital adoption continues. Furthermore, victims of cybercrime face psychological consequences, such as anxiety and distrust in digital services.

Section 3: Legal Framework Governing Cyber Fraud in India

Overview of India’s Approach to Cyber Fraud

As India’s cyber fraud incidents continue to grow, the legal response has evolved to address the various digital crimes targeting individuals, corporations, and government institutions. The Indian legal framework for cyber fraud centres around the Information Technology (IT) Act of 2000, the Indian Penal Code (IPC) now BNS, and regulatory guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). However, while these laws provide a foundation, gaps persist in addressing modern, sophisticated cybercrimes, creating challenges in enforcement and prosecution.

Key Provisions Under the Information Technology Act, 2000

The IT Act, 2000 was India’s first comprehensive legislation addressing electronic transactions, digital signatures, and cybercrimes. It serves as the primary legal tool to combat cyber fraud, prescribing penalties and protections against unauthorized access, data breaches, identity theft, and digital deception. Key sections relevant to cyber fraud include:

• Section 66C (Identity Theft): This section penalizes the fraudulent use of someone’s identity information to gain unauthorized access to a system or account. Convicted offenders face imprisonment up to three years and fines, making this provision crucial in combating online banking frauds where stolen identities are often used.
• Section 66D (Cheating by Personation): Section 66D addresses scams involving fake identities used to deceive victims for financial gain. This section has been used frequently in phishing and UPI fraud cases, where fraudsters impersonate bank officials or government agents to lure victims into sharing sensitive information.
• Section 43 (Unauthorized Access and Damage): Section 43 penalizes unauthorized access to computer networks or systems, a critical provision in corporate data breaches and hacking cases. Penalties include damages up to ₹1 crore (₹10 million), reinforcing the act’s stance on protecting data privacy and integrity.
• Section 67 (Publishing or Transmitting Obscene Material): Though not directly related to financial fraud, Section 67 criminalizes the sharing of obscene content online, a provision applied in cases involving cyberbullying or harassment.
• Section 69A (Blocking Public Access): This section grants the government authority to block access to websites or digital content in the interest of national security or public order. Section 69A has seen application in cases where online platforms have been used to spread misinformation or conduct illegal activities.

Complementary Provisions in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) now Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) complements the IT Act in tackling cyber fraud by applying traditional criminal law provisions to digital crimes. Important IPC sections include:

• Section 318 (Cheating and Dishonesty): This section penalizes cheating and fraud with imprisonment of up to seven years and fines. Section 318 has been widely used alongside the IT Act in financial fraud cases where victims have been deceived by scammers pretending to be legitimate businesspersons or officials.
• Section 336 (Forgery for Purpose of Cheating): This provision covers forgery used to defraud individuals or businesses, often in cases where documents or digital identities are falsified to execute a scam.
• Section 356 (Defamation): Applied to cases involving reputational harm, Section 356 has seen application in cyberbullying and online harassment cases where defamatory statements or false allegations are posted publicly.

Together, the IPC and IT Act provide a dual approach to prosecuting cybercrimes, combining traditional criminal law with specific digital crime provisions. However, as cyber fraud techniques evolve, the limitations of these laws are becoming more evident, necessitating amendments or new legislation.

Role of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Financial Regulations

The RBI plays a central role in regulating cybersecurity within the financial sector, addressing fraud risks through guidelines for banks and payment platforms. In response to increasing UPI and digital banking fraud, the RBI has mandated two-factor authentication (2FA) for online transactions and requires banks to report cybersecurity incidents within specified timelines. Some of the key RBI guidelines include:

• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): 2FA is mandatory for online banking transactions, an essential measure against OTP-based fraud. By adding a second layer of verification, 2FA aims to reduce unauthorized access to user accounts.
• Customer Awareness Initiatives: The RBI has launched awareness campaigns to educate users on safe digital banking practices, including recognizing phishing attempts and avoiding sharing OTPs or PINs.
• Cybersecurity Policy Requirements: The RBI mandates that banks establish robust cybersecurity frameworks, conduct regular audits, and report security breaches. This policy is crucial in addressing the vulnerabilities exploited in corporate cyber attacks and data breaches.

Centralized Cybercrime Reporting Mechanisms

Recognizing the need for centralized oversight, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) launched the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) in 2020 to oversee cybercrime prevention and management. The I4C initiative includes:

• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: This portal allows citizens to report cybercrimes online. Between January and April 2024 alone, over 740,000 complaints were lodged, showing how critical centralized reporting has become in managing cyber fraud incidents nationwide.
• Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System: This system aims to prevent fund loss in real-time by tracking and freezing fraudulent transactions, enabling quick response in cases of financial fraud.
• Cyber Crime Awareness Initiatives: I4C’s Cyber-Dost social media campaign educates the public on cyber fraud prevention techniques, including tips on secure transactions, identifying fake websites, and recognizing phishing attempts.

Challenges and Limitations in Enforcing Cyber Fraud Laws

Despite a comprehensive legal framework, enforcement faces significant challenges. Key issues include:

1. Jurisdictional Complexities: Cybercrimes often span multiple states or even countries, complicating jurisdiction and requiring inter-agency cooperation that can delay or complicate prosecution.
2. Evolving Technology and Techniques: The rapid evolution of cyber fraud techniques means that legal provisions often struggle to keep pace. Emerging threats, such as deepfake scams and cryptocurrency fraud, expose the need for continuous updates to the IT Act and financial regulations.
3. Limited Resources and Expertise: Many local cybercrime cells lack the technical expertise and resources needed to investigate sophisticated cyber fraud cases, resulting in a gap between reported incidents and successful prosecutions.
4. Privacy Concerns and Data Protection: The absence of a comprehensive data protection law complicates cybersecurity enforcement. The pending Data Protection Bill is expected to enhance legal provisions for personal data security, which is essential in the fight against identity theft and data breaches.

The Need for Legal Reform and Future Directions

Legal experts and policymakers are actively discussing reforms to improve cybercrime laws in India. Proposed changes include amendments to the IT Act, specific provisions for emerging threats like AI-based fraud, and greater emphasis on data privacy and user consent. The pending Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 is expected to establish stricter guidelines for handling personal data, which could significantly reduce vulnerabilities related to identity theft and online privacy breaches.

International cooperation is also a priority. India’s participation in agreements like the India-U.S. Cyber Framework and collaborations with Interpol are steps towards stronger cross-border cybercrime enforcement. Given the transnational nature of many cybercrimes, global cooperation will be crucial to enhance India’s ability to prosecute offenders beyond its borders.

This legal framework is foundational to India’s battle against cyber fraud. However, as cybercrimes become more advanced, India’s laws and enforcement mechanisms will require further adaptation. The next section will examine specific landmark cases that have shaped the country’s approach to prosecuting cyber fraud and set precedents for future cases.

Section 4: Landmark Cyber Fraud Cases in India

Landmark Cases and Their Legal Impact

India’s cyber law has been significantly shaped by key judicial rulings. These cases illustrate the evolving approach to cyber fraud, including intermediary liability, online defamation, and digital impersonation.

1. Bazee.com Case (Avnish Bajaj v. State) (2005 (III) Crimes 200 (Delhi), (DELHI HIGH COURT)

The Bazee.com case was a landmark decision that focused on the liability of intermediaries for third-party content. In 2004, Avnish Bajaj, CEO of Bazee.com, was charged after an obscene video was sold on the platform, raising questions about whether intermediaries are responsible for content uploaded by users. Bajaj’s arrest brought significant attention to the scope of liability under the Information Technology Act, 2000, as well as the need for clearer provisions for online platforms.

• Legal Findings and Implications: The court ruled that intermediaries can be liable for third-party content if they fail to demonstrate due diligence in monitoring and controlling illegal content on their platforms. This case influenced the amendment of Section 79 of the IT Act to specify intermediary liability protections for platforms that follow due diligence.

Court observation

“Intermediaries are not responsible for third-party information if they play a neutral role in transmitting or hosting content and do not ‘initiate the transmission, select the receiver, or modify the information contained in the transmission.’ This limited protection for intermediaries emphasizes the importance of adopting practices to prevent the transmission of unlawful content. However, failure to exercise appropriate diligence may lead to liability under the IT Act and other applicable provisions.”

2. Nasscom v. Ajay Sood (2005)(119(2005)DLT596), (DELHI HIGH COURT)

The Nasscom v. Ajay Sood case is a pioneering ruling in the domain of online impersonation and phishing in India. In this case, Ajay Sood and his associates were accused of creating fake websites to impersonate the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) and trick users into providing sensitive information. This case established impersonation and phishing as prosecutable offenses under cyber law.

• Legal Findings and Implications: The court’s decision to penalize Ajay Sood for identity theft and phishing expanded the scope of the IT Act, specifically under Sections 66C (identity theft) and 66D (impersonation for fraud). This was instrumental in establishing identity theft as a serious offense in the context of online fraud.
• Court observation

“The act of impersonating a well-established entity to obtain information by deceit amounts to criminal impersonation under Section 66D. Such deceptive practices pose a significant risk to individual privacy and data security, and the intent to mislead with false representation constitutes fraud. The court finds that the protection of identity in the digital world is paramount and that impersonation for fraudulent purposes is punishable.”

 

3. Cryptocurrency Ponzi Scheme Case

A recent high-profile case in the cryptocurrency space involved a Ponzi scheme promising high returns through cryptocurrency investments. The scheme, which operated without any regulatory oversight, resulted in massive financial losses for investors. Prosecuting this case was complex, as the absence of specific regulations around cryptocurrency in India left the legal framework for such fraud ambiguous.

• Legal Findings and Implications: Although cryptocurrency-specific legislation was lacking, the court held the accused liable under Sections 420 (cheating) of the IPC and 66D of the IT Act. This case catalysed discussions on the urgent need for crypto-specific regulations to protect consumers and curb misuse.
• Court observation

“The lack of regulatory clarity on cryptocurrency should not preclude the application of general fraud laws where deceit and misrepresentation are apparent. This court finds that misrepresenting investment opportunities in emerging digital assets like cryptocurrency, with intent to defraud, is actionable under current fraud and misrepresentation provisions.”

Section 6: Procedural Aspects and Investigation of Cyber Fraud in India

Overview of Cyber Crime Reporting and Initial Response

In India, cybercrime investigations begin with reporting incidents, either through local police stations, dedicated cybercrime cells, or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. This portal, launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), centralizes complaints, improving access to quick reporting and facilitating tracking by law enforcement agencies.

From January to April 2024 alone, approximately 740,000 complaints were logged through this portal, showing a rise in cybercrime reporting. The centralized reporting system allows faster and more efficient case handling, but local cyber cells remain pivotal, especially in large cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.

Key Investigation Agencies and Their Roles

1. Local and State Cyber Crime Cells: Cybercrime cells within police departments are typically the first point of contact for investigations. Cyber cells have specialized training to handle cyber-crimes but may require additional support for highly technical cases.
2. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN): This agency functions as a national-level watchdog and response unit for cybersecurity threats, including cyber fraud. It provides technical support for investigations, gathers threat intelligence, and develops public advisories on cyber threats.
3. National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (NCFL): Part of the I4C initiative, the NCFL assists in evidence analysis, especially for advanced digital forensic requirements. It offers training for state and local enforcement personnel in cyber forensic techniques.
4. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Cyber Crime Cell: The CBI’s cyber division handles complex, high-profile cybercrime cases with interstate or international connections.

Steps in Cybercrime Investigation

Cybercrime investigations involve a systematic approach that includes:

1. Incident Reporting and First Response: When a cyber fraud complaint is lodged, authorities immediately assess the case's severity. Quick action may be taken if funds can be traced to freeze transactions in progress, which is facilitated by the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System.
2. Digital Evidence Collection: For cyber fraud, digital forensic evidence is key. This includes email records, IP addresses, server logs, and device metadata. The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam support the admissibility of digital evidence, provided it is obtained following strict forensic protocols.
3. Forensic Analysis and Tracking: Forensic specialists analyse the collected digital evidence, often relying on tools to decrypt data, trace IP addresses, or detect malware. Complex cases may require coordination with CERT-IN or specialized cyber forensic labs.
4. Suspect Identification and Arrest: Investigators attempt to identify suspects through methods like IP tracing, social engineering patterns, and analysis of social media. In cases with international connections, enforcement agencies collaborate with global partners, such as Interpol.

Government Initiatives to Strengthen Investigation and Enforcement

In response to these challenges, the Indian government has launched several initiatives aimed at improving cybercrime investigation capabilities:

1. Capacity Building and Training Programs: Through I4C and NCFL, local police and cybercrime cells receive training in digital forensics, malware analysis, and other technical areas.
2. Awareness Campaigns: Public awareness programs, such as the Cyber Dost campaign, aim to educate citizens on cyber fraud risks and encourage reporting, helping improve overall reporting rates.
3. Cross-Border Collaboration: India is strengthening ties with international bodies like Interpol, and through frameworks like the India-U.S. Cyber Framework, to foster information exchange and joint investigations.

Section 7: Future of Cyber Fraud and Legal Evolution in India

Did You Know? With AI, scams are now harder to detect as deepfake technologies mimic voices and faces. Experts warn that quantum computing may soon pose risks to existing encryption standards, making data even more vulnerable.

Emerging Trends in Cyber Fraud

As technology advances, cyber fraud tactics become increasingly sophisticated. Anticipated trends include:

1. AI-Driven Fraud: Artificial intelligence enables the creation of deep fakes—hyper-realistic fake videos and voices. These could be used for identity theft, blackmail, and unauthorized transactions, complicating detection efforts.
2. Quantum Computing: The potential of quantum computing could undermine traditional encryption methods, making sensitive data more vulnerable to breaches.
3. Dark Web Activities: Growing dark web marketplaces facilitate trading of hacked data, financial credentials, and even tools for fraud, posing a major threat to cybersecurity.

Proposed Legal Reforms

India is working to enhance its legal landscape to address these evolving threats:

1. Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023: This bill aims to enforce stronger data protection standards, emphasizing consent and accountability, which is crucial for protecting personal data against misuse.
2. Amendments to the IT Act: Proposed IT Act updates could incorporate clearer guidelines on AI misuse, cryptocurrency fraud, and tighter intermediary liability measures for platforms.
3. Cross-Border Collaboration: Strengthening agreements with countries on data-sharing and investigative cooperation will help India address transnational cyber threats.

Emphasis on Data Protection and Privacy

As cyber fraud techniques grow in complexity, data protection becomes central. Implementing robust privacy laws is vital to safeguard individuals from unauthorized data use, identity theft, and breaches, and will be essential in the evolving fight against cyber fraud in India.

Section 8: How to file online Complaint

Step 1: Visit the Cyber Crime Reporting Portal

1. Open your web browser and go to https://cybercrime.gov.in/.
• You will see the homepage with options for filing different types of complaints.
• This portal, managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, allows individuals to report various types of cybercrime, such as online financial fraud, cyber harassment, and identity theft.
• You can also see options for reporting women/child-related cyber crimes and other general cybercrimes.

Step 2: Select the Type of Complaint

1. From the homepage, choose the complaint category:
• Report Women/Child-related Crime: For cases involving cyber harassment or abuse specifically targeted at women or children.
• Report Other Cyber Crimes: Select this for reporting online financial frauds, phishing, OTP frauds, and other types of cybercrime.

Then click file a complaint option

Step 3: Register and Login

1. If this is your first time on the portal, click on “File a Complaint” and then “New User? Register Here”.
2. Fill in your basic information:
• Full Name
• Email Address
• Mobile Number – An OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to verify your mobile number.
3. Create a Password to secure your account. Once registered, you can use this password to login and manage complaints.

Log In using your email/mobile number and the password you created.

Step 4: Filing the Complaint

1. After logging in, click “File a Complaint”.
2. You will see a form with several sections to fill out:
• Complainant Details: Enter your name, address, and contact information.
• Complaint Details: Describe the fraud in as much detail as possible. Include specific information, such as the nature of the scam (e.g., phishing, unauthorized transaction, etc.).
• Incident Details: Provide the date, time, and location (if known) of the incident.
• Attachments: Upload any supporting documents, such as screenshots, bank statements, or conversation logs. This evidence can be essential for investigation.

1. Verification: You may be asked to verify your identity with additional details, such as your Aadhaar or PAN number.

Step 5: Submit and Track the Complaint

 

1. Submit the Complaint after filling out all required fields and attaching relevant documents.
• You will receive an Acknowledgment Number for tracking purposes.
2. Use this number to track the status of your complaint by logging into your account.
• The portal also provides updates on the complaint as it is forwarded to relevant authorities for investigation.
3. Screenshot of Tracking Page:

• On your dashboard, the status of each complaint can be monitored under “My Complaints.”

Conclusion:

In this generation of Artificial Intelligence, cyber fraud became a significant issue. We all are aware of how growing technology is now becoming a threat for society. To prevent cybercrime, it is very necessary to be vigilant and adopt all the safety measures that are necessary. To protect ourselves from cybercrime we need to understand what phishing, malware, cyberthreat is, so that we take preventive measures. though it is difficult to prevent and update about the latest threats and implement them as security measures to protect the sensitive data and important assets.

Promoting cyber awareness through webinars, school programs, awareness campaigns can be the initial step towards the protection. Moreover, advanced technologies, high security passwords, anti-malware software can also help us to prevent cyber fraud. Government has an important role to prevent cyber fraud by organising training programs that can help people to train people free of cost. Additionally, we can also take the help of international organisations to increase the standard of the software. Partnerships among different countries will establish global cybersecurity standards. Cyber frauds can be prevented if we take the initial steps and our mind. Additionally, “prevention is always better than cure”.

Disclaimer

The contents in this article are just for informational purposes only. Efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of information, the author(s) and publisher do not guarantee its completeness or precision. Any matter written in this article does not express the opinion of the author or the publisher. Additionally, it does not reflect the views of the organisation. Readers should self-analyse the information and perceive accordingly. The author(s), The publisher and the organisation are not responsible for any losses or damage occurring due to the interpretation of the article.

CREDITS:
Shambhavi Mishra
Sidhhant Tiwari
Advocate Mihir Kaushik
Advocate Vikas Gupta