How to File a Cybercrime Complaint in India: UPI Fraud & Online Scams (2026)

1Why the first hour matters

Banks can freeze a fraudulent transfer before the scammer withdraws it — but only if you report fast. Reporting within the first 'golden hour' sharply improves the chance the receiving (mule) account is blocked in time. After a day, recovery becomes much harder.

2Report it three ways (do all that apply)

• Call 1930 — the national cyber-fraud helpline — immediately and report the transaction.
• File on cybercrime.gov.in (the I4C national portal): choose 'Report Financial Fraud', enter the transaction and scammer details, and save the acknowledgement number.
• Inform your bank's fraud team with the complaint reference so they can attempt to freeze/reverse the transfer.

3Filing on cybercrime.gov.in

• Go to cybercrime.gov.in and choose to report a financial / other cyber crime.
• Enter your details and the incident: date, time, amount, the scammer's UPI ID / phone / account if known, and the platform used.
• Attach evidence: transaction screenshots, bank SMS, chats, or the fake website/URL.
• Submit and save the complaint number — share it with your bank.

4Recovery & escalation

Forward your complaint number to your bank in writing. If your bank wrongly refuses to act, escalate to its grievance officer and then the RBI Ombudsman (a free process). Recovery isn't guaranteed once money leaves the recipient's account, but a prompt complaint builds the trail police and banks need to trace it.