What should you do immediately after an online fraud?
Call 1930, the national cyber crime helpline, or report it on cybercrime.gov.in straight away, then call your bank to block the card, UPI or net banking that was used. The sooner it is reported, the better the chance the money can be stopped in the receiving account, but recovery is never guaranteed.
The first hour: in this order
- Call 1930 or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. Note the acknowledgement number.
- Call your bank’s official number (from its website or the back of your card) and block the card, UPI or net banking used in the fraud.
- Write down every transaction ID, date, time and amount, and the account, UPI ID or phone number the money went to.
- Take screenshots of messages, call logs, websites and payment screens. Don’t delete the chats.
- Change the passwords and PINs of any account the fraudster may have seen, starting with email and banking.
Police describe the first hours after a fraud as the "golden hour". Reports made quickly are more likely to reach the receiving bank before the money moves on, but report it even if hours or days have passed.
Tell your bank in writing, quickly
Under the Reserve Bank of India’s rules on customer liability, how much of an unauthorised electronic transaction you may have to bear depends on how quickly you report it to the bank. Reporting within three working days protects you most, if the fraud was not caused by your own negligence.
Report by the bank’s official channels and keep the complaint number. If the bank doesn’t resolve it, you can escalate to the RBI Ombudsman.
Source: RBI circular on customer protection, limiting liability of customers in unauthorised electronic banking transactions (6 July 2017).
Beware of "recovery" calls
After a fraud, victims are often contacted by people claiming to be police, bank officials or recovery agents who can get the money back for a fee. Genuine police and banks do not ask for a fee to recover money. Don’t pay, and don’t share OTPs or remote-access apps.
After the complaint
Your complaint on cybercrime.gov.in is passed to the police. Gurugram Police also has cyber crime police stations. Keep the acknowledgement number and the evidence together. You may be asked for them, and for a written complaint, as the case goes on.
If money is put on hold in the receiving account, getting it released back to you can involve the police and sometimes a court order. If you want help preparing the written complaint or following it up, see police complaint help, or how to file a police complaint online in Gurugram.
Common questions
Is 1930 a Gurugram number?
No. 1930 is the national cyber crime helpline, and works across India. The complaint is then routed to the police where you are.
Can I still report a fraud that happened days ago?
Yes. Report it on cybercrime.gov.in and to your bank even if time has passed. A late report is still recorded and investigated.
Will I get my money back?
Nobody can promise that. Quick reporting gives the best chance of the money being held in the receiving account; whether and when it is returned depends on the investigation and the banks.
Official resources
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (opens in a new tab)
- Reserve Bank of India (opens in a new tab)
- Haryana Police (opens in a new tab)
GurugramHelp is an independent assistance service, not a government office, and this guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules, fees and portals change: check the official source before you act.
Where we can help
- FIR & police complaints The police must register an FIR when information discloses a cognizable offence.
- Consumer complaints The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 lets consumers seek relief before consumer commissions at district, state and national level, and complaints can be filed online.
- Legal advice & agreement review A short consultation early can save a long dispute later.
