In short: To report cybercrime India, visit cybercrime.gov.in or call the national helpline 1930. You can also walk into any police station under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023. Acting within the first few hours — especially for financial fraud — dramatically improves the chances of freezing stolen money.
Key points
- The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) accepts online complaints 24/7 and is the fastest way to report cybercrime India from anywhere in the country.
- Helpline 1930 is dedicated to cyber financial fraud; call immediately after discovering a fraud to trigger a hold on the transaction before money is withdrawn.
- From 1 July 2024, cybercrime offences are prosecuted under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, and the Information Technology Act 2000 — the old IPC and CrPC no longer apply to new cases.
- Women and children reporting crimes such as online harassment or non-consensual image sharing can use the portal’s dedicated “Report Women/Child Related Crime” section without mandatory login.
- Keep all digital evidence — screenshots, transaction IDs, email headers, chat logs — before filing; evidence preservation is your responsibility at this stage.
- A complaint on the portal generates an acknowledgement number; if police do not act within a reasonable time you can follow up using that number or approach the Superintendent of Police.
What counts as a cybercrime?
A cybercrime is any offence that uses a computer, mobile device, or network either as the tool or the target. Common categories include online financial fraud (UPI scams, phishing, investment fraud), identity theft, hacking, cyberbullying, online stalking, sextortion, and child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
The Information Technology Act 2000 (IT Act) remains the primary statute for most technology-specific offences such as unauthorised access (Section 43 and Section 66), data theft, and obscene content. The BNS 2023 covers related criminal acts — for instance, cheating by impersonation online falls under the BNS equivalent of the old IPC Section 419/420. Where relevant, we note the old provision beside the new one below.
Where can you report cybercrime India?
1. Online — cybercrime.gov.in
The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal is the government’s primary online gateway. Go to cybercrime.gov.in, click “File a Complaint”, and choose the relevant category. You will be asked to create an account for most complaint types.
The portal routes your complaint to the cyber cell of the state or union territory where the incident occurred. You receive an acknowledgement number for tracking.
2. Phone — Helpline 1930
Dial 1930 from any phone in India. This line is specifically for cyber financial fraud. Operators can coordinate with banks and payment gateways to freeze transactions while they are still in the banking system.
Time matters: the sooner you call after a fraud, the higher the chance of recovery. Have your bank account number, transaction ID, and the fraudster’s UPI handle or phone number ready before you call.
3. Local police station
Under the BNSS 2023, you can file a First Information Report (FIR) at any police station regardless of where the offence took place (see Section 173 BNSS on cognisable offences). The station must register your complaint; if they refuse, you can approach the Judicial Magistrate.
Many districts also have dedicated cyber police stations or cyber cells — check your state police website for the nearest one.
Step-by-step: how to file on cybercrime.gov.in
The process below reflects the portal’s general flow. Steps may change if the portal is updated; always follow the on-screen instructions.
| Step | What you do | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Register | Create an account with your mobile number and OTP. | Use your own verified mobile number for follow-up communication. |
| 2. Choose category | Select the offence type: financial fraud, cyber bullying, hacking, CSAM, etc. | “Women/Child Related Crime” allows anonymous reporting without login. |
| 3. Describe the incident | Fill in date, time, mode of crime, and a factual narrative. | Be precise and factual; avoid assumptions about the accused. |
| 4. Upload evidence | Attach screenshots, transaction records, URLs, or other digital evidence. | Keep originals; do not edit or compress images before uploading. |
| 5. Submit and save | Submit the form and note your acknowledgement/complaint number. | Screenshot the confirmation page as your proof of filing. |
| 6. Track and follow up | Log back in and check the complaint status periodically. | If there is no movement within a reasonable period, escalate to the SP or approach a magistrate. |
Which laws apply when you report cybercrime India?
Since 1 July 2024, new cybercrime cases are charged under the BNS 2023 and prosecuted under the BNSS 2023. The IT Act 2000 runs alongside these codes for technology-specific offences. The table below shows commonly cited provisions.
| Type of offence | Relevant provision (new) | Old equivalent (IPC / IT Act) |
|---|---|---|
| Online cheating / fraud | BNS 2023 (cheating provisions — verify section number on India Code) | IPC Sections 419, 420 |
| Identity theft / impersonation | IT Act Section 66C / BNS cheating by impersonation | IPC Section 419; IT Act Section 66C |
| Hacking / unauthorised access | IT Act Section 43 (civil), Section 66 (criminal) | Same — IT Act provisions unchanged |
| Publishing obscene content | IT Act Section 67, 67A, 67B | Same — IT Act provisions unchanged |
| Cyberstalking / harassment | BNS 2023 stalking/harassment provisions (verify on India Code) | IPC Section 354D |
| Data protection violations | Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023; DPDP Rules 2025 | IT Act Section 43A (limited application) |
Important: Section numbers within the BNS 2023 that replace specific IPC sections should be verified against the authoritative text on India Code (indiacode.nic.in) before citing them in any legal proceeding. Do not rely solely on secondary sources, including this article.
What evidence should you preserve?
Police and courts need evidence to act. Before you file, gather and preserve as much of the following as you can without altering or deleting anything:
Screenshots of messages, posts, or transactions (with visible timestamps and URLs); email headers in full; bank or UPI transaction IDs and statements; phone numbers, UPI IDs, or social media handles used by the accused; and any URLs of offending websites or content.
Store originals on a separate device or cloud backup. Metadata in original files (not screenshots of screenshots) is often critical for forensic analysis.
What happens after you file?
The portal forwards your complaint to the relevant state cyber cell. If the offence is cognisable (most serious cybercrimes are), police should register an FIR and investigate. For financial fraud, the 1930 helpline mechanism can simultaneously trigger a “lien” or hold on the funds with the relevant bank — this is time-sensitive and entirely separate from the FIR process.
If police decline to register an FIR, you can send a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police, or file a private complaint before a Judicial Magistrate under the BNSS 2023.
Frequently asked questions
Is it mandatory to have evidence before I report cybercrime India?
No. You can file a complaint even if your evidence is limited. However, the stronger and more complete your evidence, the more effectively investigators can act. Preserve whatever you have — even a single screenshot or transaction ID can be enough to start an investigation. Do not wait to collect perfect evidence if the fraud is recent; call 1930 immediately for financial crimes.
Can I report a cybercrime anonymously?
The cybercrime.gov.in portal allows you to report crimes against women and children — including online harassment and non-consensual image sharing — without creating an account or revealing your identity. For most other offence categories, you will need to register with a verified mobile number. Anonymous tips can also be shared with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal through the “Report Other Cyber Crime” option, though follow-up action may be limited without contact details.
What is the time limit to report a cybercrime in India?
There is no fixed statutory deadline for filing a complaint on the portal, but the sooner you report the better — especially for financial fraud where the 1930 helpline can potentially freeze funds in transit. Formal criminal proceedings are subject to limitation periods under the BNSS 2023; the applicable period varies with the offence and punishment. Consult a qualified advocate if you are concerned that time has passed, since limitation rules can be complex.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change; verify against the primary sources cited and consult a qualified advocate for your situation.
