How To File Complaint In Cyber Crime Online?

To report a cybercrime, users can approach the national Cyber Crime Portal or their respective City or State cyber-crime department

As more and more people transact online and use online platforms, the number of cybercrimes is rising. In the first quarter of 2024, people lost around Rs 176 crore to cyber frauds. To tackle the menace of cybercrime, the government has introduced a dedicated cybercrime portal. Several states also have their own cybercrime investigation department. Since cyber fraudsters often have pan-India and even international crime networks, the central cybercrime portal can deliver better results. Here is a step-by-step process as to how to file a complaint in Cyber Crime online.

How to file a complaint in cybercrime online?

Step 1: Users first need to understand the various types of cybercrimes that can be reported to the cybercrime portal. The list of cybercrimes is quite long. It includes everything from vishing to sexting, smshing, SIM swap scam, debit/credit card fraud, phishing, spamming, impersonation, identity theft, ransomware, virus, worms, trojans, data breach, cybersquatting, pharming, cryptojacking, online drug trafficking and espionage. Cybercrime also includes cyber bullying, cyber stalking, cyber grooming, online job fraud, online sextortion and child pornography.

Step 2: If the user feels that their case is related to any of the crimes above, they can report it to the Cyber Crime Portal. The dedicated portal to report cybercrimes is https://cybercrime.gov.in/. There are three broad categories in which cybercrime complaints can be filed. It includes financial fraud, other cybercrime and crime related to women and children. In case of women and children related crime, users can file their complaint anonymously.

Step 3: It is important to note that users should be honest when reporting a cybercrime online. If a false complaint is filed, the user will have to face penal action as per Indian laws. So, before registering a complaint with the Cyber Crime Portal, make sure that you are not making any false accusations.

Step 4: Anyone filing a complaint in cybercrime online needs to register with the Cyber Crime Portal. New users need to select their state and provide their email ID and mobile number. An OTP verification process will establish the identity of the user.

Step 5: Once registered, users can file a complaint in cybercrime online. They need to provide all the details of the case including the date and time. Identity verification will be needed, which can be done by providing a soft copy of any national ID card such as passport, driving license, voter ID, Aadhaar Card and PAN card. For reporting financial fraud, users will need to provide their bank details or wallet/merchant details. They also need to mention the transaction details such as 12-digit transaction ID, date of transaction, soft copy of all supporting evidence and the fraud amount.

How long it takes to solve cyber crime complaint?

Once a cybercrime complaint has been filed, the investigation will start. Users can track the status of their complaint by using the Track Your Complaint button. It may take a few days or weeks to solve the cybercrime case. However, depending on the type of case, the investigation may also take several months. It is recommended that users file complaints about cybercrime online as soon as possible. This will increase the chances of solving the case quickly and also recovering any stolen money.