5 things you need to follow if you fall victim to a cybercrime

Cyber Fraud Helpline: When you make an online payment, payment gateways are the bridge between you and the vendor. You rely on the payment gateway's authenticity to believe that it will push your money to the right destination. But what if a cybercriminal hacks a payment gateway and syphons off somebody else's hard-earned money? This was exactly what happened with Thane-based payment gateway company Safexpay Technologies, which has clients as big as Shell.

A group of cybercriminals hacked the Safexpay Technologies payment gateway to make illegal transactions.

The company approached the Thane Police and filed the complaint about illegal transactions worth Rs 25 crore. The case was solved and the culprits were apprehended.

But, when the Police was probing the Safexpay matter, it struck upon a similar case. This time, the magnitude of illegal online tansactions was as high as Rs 16,180 crore.

The accused, working through a company named Riyal Enterprises, broke into the accounts of government departments, withdrew money from them, and deposited it in about 260 different accounts.

Not just corporate houses or public sector companies, the accused also swindled the hard-earned money of many individuals. 

Amid cybercrimes which are running into thousands of crores, you should also know your rights and legal remedies if you fall victim to cyber fraud.

Types of cybercrimes

Phishing, ransomware, identity theft, online money scams, UPI-related frauds, cyber stalking, and cyberbullying are the most common types of cyber crimes.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, as ATM frauds, insurance frauds, fake calls, lottery scams, and cheating are equally affecting people badly.

Just in the National Capital, cybercrime complaints had reportedly increased by 200 per cent by August 15, 2023.  

What to do if you fall victim to cybercrime

First remedy

When you fall victim to a money-related cyber fraud, the first thing that you should do is block your account number through the bank app, customer care, or visiting the bank branch physically.

Inform the bank officials that your identity has been compromised and someone has illegally made a transaction in your name.

National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP):

Since an online complaint reaches the concerned authorities the fastest, you can lodge a complaint on the NCRP portal at https://i4c.mha.gov.in/ncrp.aspx.

It's the central government's initiative to facilitate the victims of cybercrime.

The portal's main focus is to solve cases of cybercrime involving children and women, but it also deals with all types of cybercrime.

Police and law enforcement agencies are supposed to take quick action once someone files a complaint on the NCRP portal.

File a complaint at the nearest police station 

A victim can also go to the nearest police station to file a cybercrime complaint.

The Police will either take action or transfer the case to the cyber cell.

The other reason to approach a Police station is also to let officials know that your identity has been compromised and someone may misuse it to cheat more people.

The complaint can work as your defence against further crime cases through identity proofs.

Helpline numbers

The national cybercrime helpline number is 1930. You can dial this number to lodge a complaint.

The person filing the complaint will ask for your name, contact number, and bank account details, as well as the details of the account where your money has been transferred.

The other helpline numbers that also deal with cybercrimes are- 

National police helpline number: 112
National women helpline number: 181
Toll-free police control room number: 100

Online complain

The portal to file a cyber fraud complaint is https://cybercrime.gov.in/.

On this website, you can also file a complaint as an anonymous person.

If you have seen a cybercrime taking place against a woman or child, you can also file a complaint on their behalf.

You need to reveal your name, contact number, bank account number, email ID, and the account you have transferred money to.

You need to register your mobile number through an OTP on the portal to register your complaint.

After you submit your complaint, you will receive a confirmation on the portal.

You can also file complaints through the ‘Report and Track’ and ‘Report Other Cybercrime’ options on the portal.

You will receive an SMS and an e-mail with a complaint reference number on your registered mobile number and email ID.

As an internet user, you need to be aware of what the latest cybercrime means.

It's better to take precautions so that you don't become a victim of a cybercrime.

If you fall victim to it somehow, take quick action, like filing a complaint on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), calling on helpline numbers, or visiting the nearest police station or cyber cell to lodge a complaint.