Scammed online? Move fast — the first hour matters most.
Someone tricked you into a UPI payment, drained your account, or cheated you on a fake website or call. The one thing that decides whether you get your money back is speed. Report it fast and the bank can often freeze the money before the scammer pulls it out. Here's exactly what to do.
Ask her about this — freeWhat the law actually says
- The government runs a free helpline — 1930 — and a portal, cybercrime.gov.in, built specifically for online financial fraud. Reporting fast lets your bank and the scammer's bank freeze the money in transit, before it's withdrawn.
- Under RBI rules, if you report an unauthorised transaction quickly — ideally within three days — your liability can be zero, and the bank bears the loss, not you. The longer you wait, the more of the loss can fall on you.
- Online cheating and fraud are crimes under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (the new criminal code that replaced the IPC) and the Information Technology Act. The police can register an FIR.
- You have a right to a written acknowledgement of your complaint from the bank, and if the bank doesn't resolve it in 30 days you can escalate free to the RBI Ombudsman.
What to do
- 1
Call 1930 immediately — before anything else
The national cybercrime helpline is free and open 24×7. Reporting in the first hours — the 'golden hour' — is what lets the banks freeze the money before the scammer withdraws it. Keep the details ready: the amount, the date, and the UPI ID, account number, or phone number that received your money.
- 2
Report on cybercrime.gov.in and call your bank
File the complaint online at cybercrime.gov.in, and call your bank on its official number — the one printed on your card, never a number the scammer gave you. Ask them to block the card or account and to freeze the disputed transaction, in writing.
- 3
Don't pay another rupee, and save everything
Never make a 'refund', 'verification', or 'unblocking' payment — that is the scam continuing. Screenshot the messages, transaction IDs, the fake website or profile, and the number that called you. This is the evidence that gets your money back.
- 4
Get the complaint number and follow up
The portal gives you a complaint number, and your bank must give you a written acknowledgement. If the bank hasn't resolved it in 30 days, escalate — for free — to the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in.
Your rights, at a glance
Report the fraud, free and 24×7
- How long it takes
- In the first hours — the sooner the better
- Where to go
- 1930 helpline / cybercrime.gov.in
- Rough cost
- Free
Zero liability for a fast-reported fraud
- How long it takes
- Report to your bank within 3 days
- Where to go
- Your bank, in writing
- Rough cost
- Free
Register an FIR
- How long it takes
- Anytime, but don't delay
- Where to go
- Local police / cyber police station
- Rough cost
- Free
Escalate to the RBI Ombudsman
- How long it takes
- If unresolved after 30 days
- Where to go
- cms.rbi.org.in
- Rough cost
- Free
Common questions in this area
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When you need a real lawyer
For most online fraud you don't need a lawyer to start — speed and the 1930 complaint matter far more, and every step above is free. Get a lawyer if the amount is large and you're chasing recovery through court, or if you've wrongly been named as the accused. If you need a formal written complaint or a legal notice to your bank drafted properly, Miss Lucy Pro can do that — but make the 1930 call first.
Report it now at cybercrime.gov.in — or call 1930This is guidance, not a lawyer. Miss Lucy Lite helps you understand your rights and your next step in plain English. It is in no way a replacement for proper legal advice — when your situation needs a real document or a fight in court, she'll tell you plainly that it's time to see a lawyer.