You have three options for complaining: via phone at the national hotline, in person at the closest local police station, or online at the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. We describe how and what to do.
Technology is advancing so quickly that hackers now have more ways to take advantage of victims. The sophistication of cybercrimes keeps evolving, ranging from financial frauds to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to hack personal information. If you are unlucky enough to become a victim of cybercrime, this article will advise you on what to do immediately and how to report the incident.
Some common cybercrimes include:
Phishing: is a technique where attackers use deceptive emails or messages to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or performing actions they shouldn’t.
Ransomware: is malicious software that encrypts a victim’s data and demands a ransom for its decryption, often causing significant data loss and financial damage.
Identity theft: This is the unauthorised acquisition and use of someone else’s personal information for fraudulent purposes.
Online Money Scams: These are deceptive schemes on the internet where fraudsters trick individuals into sending money or providing personal information with false promises of financial gain.
Cyber Stalking and Cyber Bullying: Stalking involves persistent, unwanted online harassment or monitoring of an individual, while cyberbullying refers to the use of digital platforms to intimidate, threaten, or demean others.
Other cybercrimes are email frauds, social media crimes, mobile app-related crimes, business email compromise, data theft, net banking and ATM frauds, fake calls, insurance frauds, lottery scams, bitcoins, cheating, etc.
But first.
As soon as you become aware that you have fallen victim to cybercrime, block your bank account and get in contact with the authorities to inform them that your data has been exposed.
National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP):
The Indian government launched this platform to make it easier for victims and complainants to report cybercrime online. Only complaints about cybercrimes are accepted through this portal, with a focus on crimes against women and children. Law enforcement authorities and police handle complaints submitted through this portal by using the information that is given. When making a complaint, it is essential to include precise and accurate information for a timely resolution.
Helpline number 1930:
The national hotline for cybercrime is 1930. If you become a victim of financial fraud, you can contact this number by providing the required information, which includes your name, contact details, account number, and account details of the account to which the funds were transferred.
File an online complaint:
You can report cybercrime against women and children to https://cybercrime.gov.in/ if you have been the victim of it yourself or if you see it. Reports can also be sent anonymously.
As in the previous instance, make sure you have all the required paperwork when filing a complaint, including your bank account number, the account to which the money was moved, and your bank-linked phone number. Following the filing of your complaint, you can also follow its progress.
Regarding anonymous complaints, you are not required to submit any personal data. However, in order for the police authorities to take the appropriate action, all relevant information regarding the incident or complaint must be provided. Important facts like your name, phone number, email address, and details of the incident or complaint, as well as necessary information supporting the complaint, etc.
Using your mobile number, you must register yourself. A one-time password (OTP) will be sent to your mobile number. The OTP is only good for thirty minutes. You can file a complaint once you’ve properly registered your cellphone number on the platform.
The relevant state and UT police agencies will handle the complaints that are reported on the platform. You will receive a confirmation message within the portal itself after submitting your complaint. If you have reported a cybercrime via the portal’s “Report and Track” option or “Report Other Cybercrime” section, you will get an email and an SMS on your registered email address and cellphone number with a complaint reference number.
Contact the nearest police station or your lawyer:
You can make a complaint at the closest police station if you are unable to file a report online or over the helpline number. Also, you can get the help of a lawyer; after that, the police officers will take the appropriate action and forward the case to the cyber cell.
Additional phone numbers for assistance:
National police helpline number: 112
National women’s helpline number: 181
Toll-free police control room number: 100
Adv.Khanak Sharma