How to File a Cybercrime Complaint Online in India: Process and Authorities
- Kaustav Chowdhury
- Jul 6
- 5 min read
Cybercrime in India has grown rapidly with increasing internet penetration. From financial fraud and phishing to identity theft, hacking, and social media harassment, digital offences affect individuals and businesses alike. The Indian government has established the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) at cybercrime.gov.in as the central platform for reporting all types of cybercrimes. This guide covers the complete process of filing a cybercrime complaint online, the relevant legal provisions under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the authorities you can approach.
Types of Cybercrimes You Can Report
The NCRP accepts complaints for a wide range of cybercrimes. These fall into two broad categories:
Financial Fraud: This includes online banking fraud, UPI fraud, credit/debit card fraud, investment scams, loan app harassment, job fraud, and e-commerce fraud. If you have lost money through an unauthorised digital transaction, the first step is to call the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 within the "golden hour" (the first few hours after the fraud), as this can help freeze the fraudulent account and improve the chances of recovery. For bank-specific remedies, see How to Report an Unauthorised Bank Transaction and Get a Refund Under RBI Rules.
Other Cybercrimes: This category covers hacking and unauthorised access, identity theft, cyberstalking, online harassment and trolling, morphing or misuse of images, social media impersonation, ransomware attacks, data theft, and offences against women and children online (including revenge pornography and child sexual abuse material). The portal allows anonymous reporting for crimes against women and children.
Legal Framework: IT Act 2000 and BNS Provisions
Cybercrimes in India are prosecuted under two primary statutes: the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), which replaced the Indian Penal Code on 1 July 2024.
Key IT Act Provisions: Section 43 covers unauthorised access to computer systems and data theft, with civil liability for damages. Section 66 penalises computer-related offences (hacking) with imprisonment up to three years or a fine up to Rs 5 lakh, or both. Section 66C deals specifically with identity theft, penalising the fraudulent use of another person's electronic signature, password, or unique identification feature. Section 66D covers cheating by impersonation using a communication device or computer resource, with imprisonment up to three years and a fine up to Rs 1 lakh. Section 66F addresses cyber terrorism.
Key BNS Provisions: Section 318 BNS (replacing the old Section 420 IPC) covers cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, applicable to online financial fraud, with imprisonment up to seven years. Section 319 BNS covers cheating by personation (impersonation), applicable when someone creates a fake identity online to deceive others, with imprisonment up to five years. Section 78 BNS applies to cyberstalking and repeated online harassment.
When filing a complaint, the police will determine the applicable sections based on the facts of your case. In many instances, provisions from both the IT Act and the BNS will apply simultaneously. For related information about the BNSS framework, see How to File an Anticipatory Bail Application in India Under BNSS 2023.
How to File a Complaint on cybercrime.gov.in
The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) is operated by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). The portal is available 24/7, is mobile-friendly, and supports multiple Indian languages. Here is the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Register on the Portal. Visit cybercrime.gov.in and click on "File a Complaint." You will be asked to enter your mobile number. An OTP will be sent to verify your number (the OTP is valid for 30 minutes). Complete the registration with your name, email address, and state.
Step 2: Select the Category of Cybercrime. Choose the relevant category: "Women/Child Related Crime" (for offences like revenge pornography, cyberstalking, or child abuse material) or "Other Cyber Crimes" (for financial fraud, hacking, identity theft, social media crimes, and similar offences). Complaints about crimes against women and children can be filed anonymously.
Step 3: Fill in the Complaint Details. The form has four parts: (a) Incident Details, where you describe what happened, when it happened, and where (include URLs, phone numbers, and email addresses of the suspect if available); (b) Suspect Details, where you provide any information about the alleged perpetrator; (c) Complaint Details, where you provide your personal information and upload supporting evidence such as screenshots, transaction records, chat logs, and emails; and (d) Preview, where you review all details before submission.
Step 4: Submit and Note the Acknowledgement Number. After submission, you will receive an acknowledgement number. Use this to track the status of your complaint through the "Track Your Complaint" tab on the portal. The complaint is forwarded to the relevant state or district cyber cell for investigation.
Cyber Cells, Local Police, and Escalation
In addition to the online portal, you can file a cybercrime complaint at your nearest police station. Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, an FIR for a cognizable offence must be registered regardless of territorial jurisdiction; it can later be transferred to the appropriate cyber cell. Most cities have dedicated cyber cells or cyber police stations that handle digital offences.
If you are unsatisfied with the police response, you can escalate the matter to the Superintendent of Police (Cyber Cell) in your district or to the State Cyber Crime Coordination Centre. For financial fraud, also file a complaint with your bank immediately and submit a written complaint to the RBI's Banking Ombudsman if the bank does not cooperate. For information on filing police complaints, see How to File a Complaint Against a Police Officer in India.
For consumer-related online fraud (such as e-commerce disputes), you may also consider filing a consumer complaint through the e-Daakhil portal. For CIBIL-related fraud and identity theft impacting your credit score, see How to Correct Errors in Your CIBIL Report.
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Key Takeaways
1. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) is the primary platform for reporting all types of cybercrimes in India, available 24/7 and free of charge.
2. For financial fraud, call the cybercrime helpline 1930 immediately; quick reporting within the golden hour improves recovery chances significantly.
3. Cybercrimes are prosecuted under the IT Act, 2000 (Sections 43, 66, 66C, 66D) and the BNS (Sections 318, 319 for fraud and impersonation; Section 78 for stalking).
4. Complaints can also be filed at the nearest police station or dedicated cyber cell; an FIR must be registered regardless of territorial jurisdiction under the BNSS.
5. Preserve all evidence, including screenshots, transaction records, URLs, emails, and chat logs, before filing the complaint.
Acting quickly is the single most important factor in cybercrime cases. Report the offence as soon as possible, preserve digital evidence, and follow up consistently with the investigating authorities to ensure your complaint is processed.
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