How to Report Online Fraud and Get Your Money Back in India
Online fraud in India takes many forms — UPI scams, fake e-commerce deliveries, investment fraud, and phishing. No matter the type, the reporting process is the same. Here is a concise, action-first guide.
The 3 Things to Do Right Now
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Call 1930 — the national cyber fraud helpline. This initiates bank coordination to freeze the fraudster's account before the money is moved.
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Call your bank — request an immediate transaction hold and chargeback initiation.
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Screenshot everything — transaction IDs, chat logs, the fraudster's contact details, emails. Do not delete anything.
Filing Your Formal Complaint
National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in)
- Register with your mobile number
- Choose 'Financial Fraud' as the category
- Fill in transaction details, dates, and amounts
- Upload supporting documents
- Save your acknowledgement/complaint number
FIR at the Police Station
Go to your nearest Cyber Crime Police Station or general police station for high-value fraud (above ₹50,000) or complex scams involving multiple victims. The FIR gives investigators formal powers — including the ability to compel banks and telecom companies to share information.
Can You Actually Get Your Money Back?
Yes — depending on how quickly you act:
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Within 1–2 hours: High chance of freezing the account before money is moved
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Within 24 hours: Moderate chance, especially for large amounts
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After 48 hours: Lower chance, but still pursue — banks and police can trace layered transfers
The RBI's framework means banks must reverse fraud losses when you report promptly and the fraud is not due to your sharing of credentials.
Escalation Path if Things Stall
Bank Nodal Officer: Escalate within the bank if the branch is unresponsive.
RBI Banking Ombudsman (cms.rbi.org.in): File if the bank doesn't resolve within 30 days.
Consumer Court: Claim compensation for deficiency in banking service.
Legal Notice / Civil Suit: For recovery from fraudsters once identified.
Documents to Keep Ready
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Bank statement showing the fraudulent transaction
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Screenshot of the fraud communication
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Your complaint acknowledgement from cybercrime.gov.in
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FIR copy (if filed)
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Identity proof (Aadhaar / PAN)
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I was scammed by a fake website or app? File on cybercrime.gov.in and report the fraudulent website/app to MeitY (meity.gov.in). Your bank can still initiate recovery.
The police say it is a civil matter. What should I do? Online fraud is a criminal offence under the IT Act and BNS. Insist on an FIR. If refused, write to the SP or approach a Magistrate.
Can I get compensation if the money is not recovered? Yes. You can file a consumer complaint against the bank for negligence, or a civil suit against the fraudster once identified.
