Do these four things now, in this order
- Call 1930, the National Cyber Crime Helpline, and give the transaction details.
- Register the complaint at cybercrime.gov.in and keep the acknowledgement number.
- Tell the bank at once — by phone and in writing. Ask them to freeze the beneficiary account and to raise a chargeback where that applies. Keep the ticket or complaint number.
- File a complaint at your local police station or the district Cyber Police Station. In Kerala, cybercrime is handled by the Cyber Police Stations and the Cyber Division.
Why the clock matters so much
Under the RBI's limited liability rules for unauthorised electronic transactions, a customer who reports promptly and is not at fault generally bears no loss, and the bank must credit the disputed amount within the period the rules allow. Delay in reporting increases the customer's share of the loss. In other words, the date on your report is itself a legal fact — which is exactly why the written complaint to the bank, with a ticket number, is worth the five minutes it takes.
If the bank sits on it
If your complaint is not resolved within 30 days, escalate to the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in. It is free, and it is online.
The law being used
Cheating is punishable under BNS section 318, and cheating by personation — the fake customer-care caller, the fake officer — under BNS section 319. Computer-related offences, identity theft and the publishing of obscene material fall under the Information Technology Act, 2000, including sections 43, 66, 66C, 66D and 67.
Collect this while it still exists
- Screenshots of the transaction
- The UPI transaction ID or UTR number
- Your bank statement
- The phone number, app or link the fraudster used
- SMS and call records
- The 1930 or portal acknowledgement number
Two things worth repeating
Never share an OTP, PIN, CVV or screen-sharing access with anyone. A bank will never ask for them. And loan-app harassment belongs on the same portal: recovery agents who threaten or shame a borrower can be reported to the police and to the RBI.
This guide is legal information, not legal advice, and reading it creates no advocate–client relationship. Laws change and every case turns on its own facts. For anything serious, consult an advocate — and if you cannot afford one, the District Legal Services Authority will give you a lawyer free of cost.
Ask about your own situation
Niyamam AI answers questions like this in Hindi, Malayalam or English. Describe what happened in your own words and it explains the law, the steps and the deadlines that apply to you.