Cyber crime in India is prosecuted under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) and the Indian Penal Code / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023. Common cyber crimes include online financial fraud, phishing, hacking, identity theft, cyberstalking, morphed images, and data theft.
Types of Cyber Crime and Applicable Laws
- Online financial fraud / phishing: IT Act Section 66D, IPC 420
- Hacking / unauthorised access: IT Act Section 66
- Identity theft: IT Act Section 66C
- Cyberstalking / online harassment: IT Act Section 67, IPC 354D
- Morphed images / obscene content: IT Act Section 67, 67A
- Data theft: IT Act Section 43, 66B
- Online defamation: IPC Section 499/500
National Cyber Crime Helpline — 1930
The 1930 helpline is specifically for financial cyber crimes. Call immediately if you have been defrauded online. The helpline connects with banks to freeze fraudulent transactions. Early reporting significantly increases chances of money recovery.
Golden Rule: Report financial cyber fraud within 1 hour. The sooner you call 1930, the higher the chance that the money can be stopped before it is withdrawn by the fraudster.
Evidence to Collect
- Screenshots of all fraudulent communications (emails, SMS, WhatsApp, social media)
- URLs of fake websites visited
- Phone numbers, email IDs, usernames of the fraudster
- Bank statements showing fraudulent transactions
- Transaction IDs and UTR numbers
- Any UPI IDs used by the fraudster
Dedicated Cyber Crime Police Stations
Major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune have dedicated cyber crime police stations with trained officers. For harassment cases, visit the cyber crime cell directly — they are better equipped than regular police stations to handle digital evidence.
Step-by-Step Process
Preserve All Digital Evidence First
Before anything else — take screenshots of fraudulent messages, emails, websites, social media profiles. Note URLs, usernames, phone numbers. Do NOT delete any messages or emails.
Report Online at cybercrime.gov.in
Visit the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in. File a complaint online — available 24/7. For financial fraud, use the immediate helpline 1930 (National Cyber Crime Helpline).
File FIR at Local Police Station
For serious cyber crimes (hacking, online harassment, morphed images, stalking), visit the nearest police station and file an FIR. Ask for the Cyber Crime Cell. Major cities have dedicated cyber crime police stations.
Contact Your Bank Immediately for Financial Fraud
If money was fraudulently transferred, call your bank's fraud helpline within the hour. Request them to freeze the transaction. Also call 1930 helpline — they can sometimes stop the money before it is withdrawn.
Follow Up on Complaint
Note your complaint reference number from cybercrime.gov.in. Follow up regularly. If police are unresponsive, escalate to the Superintendent of Police (Cyber) or approach the court under Section 156(3) CrPC.