How to Report Cybercrime Online in India

· Anuranjan Vikas · 4 min read
cybercrimeindiascamsguide

If you lost money to an online scam in India, call the cybercrime helpline 1930 as soon as possible and file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. If you only received a suspicious call, SMS, WhatsApp message, or link but did not lose money, report it on Sanchar Saathi Chakshu so the communication can be reviewed for fraud signals.

Speed matters most when money has moved. Do not spend the first hour arguing with the scammer, deleting messages, or waiting to see what happens.

First, decide what happened

Use the fastest route based on the situation.

Money was debited or you shared payment details

Call 1930 immediately. Then file the complaint on cybercrime.gov.in.

This applies if you:

  • Sent money by UPI, bank transfer, wallet, card, or net banking
  • Shared an OTP, UPI PIN, card number, CVV, or banking password
  • Approved a collect request or mandate by mistake
  • Installed a remote access app and money was moved
  • Paid someone during a digital arrest, courier, KYC, investment, or job scam

Do not wait for the bank branch to open if the fraud happened outside business hours. Call the bank’s official helpline too, but do not delay the cybercrime report.

You received a suspicious call, SMS, or WhatsApp message

If no money was lost, report the communication on Sanchar Saathi Chakshu. The Department of Telecommunications says Chakshu is meant for suspected fraud communications through calls, SMS, and WhatsApp, including KYC, bank, wallet, SIM, gas, electricity, government impersonation, and sextortion-related messages.

Chakshu is not the replacement for 1930. If you already lost money or became a cybercrime victim, use 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in.

Sanchar Saathi also has a malicious web link reporting route. Use it for suspicious URLs received through SMS, email, social media, WhatsApp, or other messages.

Before opening the link, you can paste it into Kaval or read our guide on checking suspicious URLs.

Evidence to save before reporting

Do not clean up the conversation too early. Save:

  • Screenshots of the message, number, profile, link, payment request, and chat
  • Phone numbers, usernames, UPI IDs, bank account names, wallet IDs, websites, and email addresses
  • Transaction ID, UTR number, amount, date, and time
  • Bank SMS alerts or email receipts
  • Any APK file name or app the scammer asked you to install
  • Call logs if the scam happened on a call
  • Screen recordings only if you can take them safely without continuing the scam

If the scammer is still calling, do not stay on the call to collect more proof. Hang up first.

What to put in the complaint

Write it like a timeline. Simple is better.

Example:

On 28 April 2026 at 4:10 PM, I received a WhatsApp message from +91 XXXXX XXXXX claiming my bank KYC would expire. I opened the link and entered my mobile number. At 4:18 PM, I received an OTP and shared it on the page. At 4:22 PM, Rs 18,000 was debited from my account. Transaction ID: XXXXX. I have attached screenshots of the message, link, and bank SMS.

Include:

  • What the scammer claimed
  • How they contacted you
  • What you clicked or shared
  • Whether money was debited
  • Exact amount and transaction reference
  • Numbers, links, UPI IDs, and account names involved
  • Screenshots attached

What to do after filing

Contact your bank or payment app

Use only the official number from the bank app, card, website, or statement. Ask them to:

  • Mark the transaction as fraud
  • Block card or net banking access if exposed
  • Freeze or review suspicious transactions
  • Remove unknown mandates, beneficiaries, or linked devices
  • Give you a complaint or service request number

Secure the account involved

If you entered a password, change it. If you shared an OTP, assume that the related account is at risk.

Do this:

  • Change the password
  • Log out of all other sessions
  • Turn on two-factor authentication
  • Check recovery email and phone number
  • Check forwarding rules in email
  • Remove unknown devices

Our guides on shared OTP scams and phishing links cover the immediate cleanup steps.

When to use Sanchar Saathi instead of cybercrime.gov.in

Use Sanchar Saathi Chakshu when the issue is a suspected fraud communication and no money has been lost.

Examples:

  • Fake KYC SMS
  • Fraud customer care number
  • Suspicious WhatsApp message
  • Fake job offer call
  • Sextortion threat message
  • Government impersonation call
  • Suspicious web link received in a message

Use cybercrime.gov.in and 1930 when you are already a victim of cybercrime or financial fraud.

How Kaval can help before you report

Send the message, link, screenshot, UPI request, or call summary to Kaval. Kaval can help you identify the scam type and turn the situation into a clearer checklist.

Example:

This looks like a fake KYC phishing scam. Do not open the link again. Save screenshots, call your bank, report on 1930 if money moved, and submit the number/link to Chakshu.

Kaval does not replace official reporting. It helps you understand what happened and what to do first.

Quick answer

If money was lost, call 1930 and file at cybercrime.gov.in immediately. If you only received a suspicious call, SMS, WhatsApp message, or link, report it through Sanchar Saathi Chakshu. Save screenshots, transaction IDs, numbers, links, and timestamps before you delete anything.