To report a cyber crime in India, call the National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930 (formerly 155260, updated in 2021). You can also file a complaint online at cybercrime.gov.in. The helpline is active 24×7 and connects victims of financial cyber fraud with a real-time response system that can freeze fraudulent transactions before money leaves the banking system.
What Is the National Cyber Crime Helpline Number?
The National Cyber Crime Helpline number is 1930. It replaced the earlier pilot number 155260 after a successful national rollout. The helpline is managed by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is designed specifically for financial cyber fraud — cases involving UPI fraud, OTP fraud, online banking fraud, and credit card fraud.
What Is the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System?
The Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System is an in-house platform developed under the I4C scheme. It connects Law Enforcement Agencies, Banks, Payment Banks, Wallets, and Online Merchants — including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Paytm, PhonePe, Flipkart, and Amazon — into a single fraud response network.
The system is designed to intercept stolen money in real time — freezing funds at any point in the transfer chain before they reach the fraudster.
How Does the Cyber Crime Helpline Work? Step-by-Step
- Call 1930. Report the fraud transaction details and your personal information to the police operator on the helpline.
- Ticket is created. The operator logs a complaint ticket in the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System.
- Ticket is routed. Depending on whether you are the victim’s bank or the wallet receiving the fraudulent funds, the ticket is sent to the relevant institution.
- SMS acknowledgment. You receive an SMS with a complaint acknowledgment number and a request to submit full fraud details at cybercrime.gov.in within 24 hours.
- Bank verification. The relevant bank reviews the ticket on its portal dashboard and checks its internal systems.
- Fund hold or escalation. If the fraudulent money is still in the first account, it is placed on hold. If already transferred, the ticket escalates to the next institution in the chain.
- Chain continues. This process repeats until the money is secured or recovered.
What to Do Beyond Calling 1930
Calling 1930 is only the first step. Here is what else you must do immediately after a cyber fraud:
- File a formal complaint at cybercrime.gov.in within 24 hours using the acknowledgment number from your call.
- Contact your bank directly to block the compromised account or card.
- Preserve all evidence — screenshots, transaction IDs, SMS messages, email threads.
- Consult a cyber expert in India if the fraud involves identity theft, SIM swap, or unauthorized access to your accounts.
Types of Cyber Fraud Covered by the Helpline
The 1930 helpline and the cybercrime portal cover a wide range of financial cyber frauds. Common cases include:
- OTP fraud — where callers trick victims into sharing one-time passwords
- Online banking fraud — unauthorized transfers via net banking
- QR code fraud — where scammers send payment requests disguised as payment links
- SIM swap fraud — where attackers take over your mobile number to receive OTPs
- Fake banking app scams
- Screen sharing app scams — remote access fraud disguised as tech support
- Investment fraud — fake trading platforms and Ponzi schemes
Which Banks and Wallets Are Integrated?
The system currently integrates all major public and private sector banks, including State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Union Bank, IndusInd, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Yes Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank. Major wallets and merchants integrated include Paytm, PhonePe, Mobikwik, Flipkart, and Amazon.
What Results Has the Helpline Delivered?
In just the first 2 months after soft-launch in 7 states and union territories (Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh), the helpline saved more than Rs. 1.85 crore of swindled money from reaching criminals. Delhi saved Rs. 58 lakh and Rajasthan Rs. 53 lakh. The system has since scaled nationally, and the 1930 number now operates across all Indian states.
How to Prevent Cyber Fraud Before It Happens
Reporting fraud after the fact is important — but prevention is faster and cheaper. Key habits to adopt:
- Enable two-factor authentication on all banking and financial accounts.
- Never share your OTP, PIN, or CVV with any caller — even if they claim to be from your bank.
- Verify payment links before scanning any QR code.
- Review your cyber hygiene practices regularly.
- Use official bank apps downloaded only from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
If you have been a victim of cyber fraud and need professional help with the investigation, contact Anuraag Singh — India’s leading cyber expert.
