Online frauds — fake KYC calls, UPI collect requests, “part-time job” tasks and investment apps — are increasingly common. Speed matters: money is often moved through several accounts within hours.
Do this immediately
- Call 1930, the national cyber-crime helpline, and report the transaction details.
- Report online at cybercrime.gov.in and note the acknowledgement number.
- Inform your bank — ask them to block the card or UPI, and to raise a dispute for the transaction. Get a written reference number.
- Preserve evidence — screenshots of chats, call logs, UPI IDs, transaction IDs, website links and app names. Do not delete anything.
- Change passwords and log out of other devices, especially email and banking.
Bank liability
Under RBI rules on unauthorised electronic transactions, if the fraud happened because of a breach elsewhere in the system (not your negligence) and you report it to your bank within three working days, your liability can be zero. Delays increase your share of the loss — another reason to report quickly.
Then
File a written complaint or FIR with the cyber police, and follow up on account freezing. Offences commonly involved include cheating (BNS s.318) and identity theft and cheating by personation under the IT Act (s.66C and s.66D). Legal help can make the follow-up with banks and police more effective.
