Quick answerIf you are a victim of online financial fraud, call the national helpline 1930 or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in immediately, then follow up with the cyber cell. Cyber offences are punishable under the Information Technology Act 2000, including Sections 66 (hacking), 66C (identity theft), 66D (cheating by personation), 66E (privacy) and 67 (obscene content), and under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, mainly Section 318 (cheating) and Section 319 (cheating by personation). A lawyer helps with the FIR, recovery of held funds and court applications.
- Laws
- IT Act 2000 and BNS 2023
- Report
- 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in
- Investigation
- Cyber cell or police station
- Fund hold
- Fastest within hours of fraud
Common cyber offences and the law that applies
| What happened | Main provisions | Maximum punishment |
|---|
| Hacking, data theft, introducing malware | IT Act Sections 43 and 66 | 3 years, fine up to ₹5 lakh, plus civil compensation |
| Misuse of password, OTP or digital signature | IT Act Section 66C | 3 years and fine up to ₹1 lakh |
| Fake profile, impersonation calls, phishing | IT Act 66D; BNS 319 | 3 years under 66D; 5 years under BNS 319 |
| UPI, investment, job or loan app fraud | BNS 318; IT Act 66D | Up to 7 years for aggravated cheating under BNS 318(4) |
| Capturing or sharing private images | IT Act 66E | 3 years or fine up to ₹2 lakh |
| Publishing obscene or sexually explicit content | IT Act 67 and 67A | 3 to 5 years on first conviction, higher on repeat |
| Sextortion and online threats | BNS 308 (extortion), 351 (intimidation); IT Act 66E, 67A | Depends on the charge |
| Defamatory posts | BNS 356 (old 499 and 500 IPC) | 2 years, fine or community service |
Where a child is involved in sexual content, the POCSO Act also applies; see our page on POCSO and child protection. Section 66A of the IT Act was struck down in Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015) and cannot be used.
If you lost money to online fraud: the first 24 hours
- Call 1930 or report at cybercrime.gov.in at once. The complaint is routed to the banks and wallets involved, which can place a hold on the money while it is still in the fraudster's or mule accounts.
- Inform your bank in writing and block cards, UPI and net banking. Under RBI rules, prompt reporting of unauthorised electronic transactions limits a customer's liability.
- Preserve evidence: screenshots of chats, call logs, the transaction IDs, UTR numbers, website links and the phone numbers or handles used. Do not delete the app or chats.
- Get the acknowledgement number and follow up with the local cyber cell for registration of an FIR where the amount or facts justify it.
Money placed on hold is not returned automatically. Release to the victim usually needs an order from the Magistrate or a direction from the court, and we file that application with the bank statements, the complaint and the police report. Recovery depends on how much was held and how quickly the fraud was reported; nobody can promise it.
Your bank account was frozen because of a cyber complaint
Many people discover that their account has been debit-frozen because money from a fraud passed through it, often through an ordinary sale, a freelance payment or a peer-to-peer crypto trade. Police usually request the freeze under the power to seize property in Section 106 BNSS (old 102 CrPC), which must be reported to the Magistrate.
Several High Courts have held that freezing an entire account for a small disputed amount, without informing the account holder or the Magistrate, is disproportionate. The usual steps to get relief are:
- Find out from the bank which police station or portal complaint caused the freeze, and get the acknowledgement number.
- Write to the investigating officer with proof that the credit was for a genuine transaction.
- Apply to the jurisdictional Magistrate to lift the freeze, or to restrict it to the disputed amount.
- Where the action is arbitrary or prolonged, file a writ petition in the High Court under Article 226.
Sextortion, morphed images and harassment
Sextortion usually begins with a video call or a fake profile and is followed by threats to share recorded images. Do not pay: payment rarely ends the demands. Preserve the evidence, report on cybercrime.gov.in (which has a separate option for women and children related crimes), and file a complaint with the police.
Under the IT Rules 2021, platforms must remove content that shows a person's private areas or nudity, or impersonates them, within 24 hours of a complaint by the person or someone on their behalf. We send takedown requests to the platform's grievance officer and escalate if they do not act. Your identity can be protected in proceedings involving sexual offences.
If you are accused in a cyber crime case
Many accused persons are account holders whose bank account or SIM card was used by others, or sellers who received payments from a fraud without knowing it. The defence depends on showing the actual transaction, the absence of dishonest intent and the chain of money. Offences punishable with three years or more under the IT Act are cognizable, and most offences punishable with three years are bailable.
If you receive a notice from a cyber cell in another state, respond through counsel, join investigation as required, and consider anticipatory bail where the charges include BNS 318 or other non-bailable offences. Electronic evidence must meet the certification requirements of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 (old Section 65B of the Evidence Act), and gaps in it are a common ground of defence.
Compensation and civil remedies
Apart from the criminal case, a person who suffers loss because of unauthorised access to a computer or data can claim compensation under Section 43 of the IT Act. Claims up to ₹5 crore go to the Adjudicating Officer (usually the state IT Secretary), and larger claims to the civil court. Defamation can also be pursued as a civil suit for damages and an injunction, separately from a criminal complaint.
Where to file and which police station acts
Cyber crime rarely respects city limits: the victim may be in Mohali, the fraudster's bank account in another state and the server abroad. You can report online on the national portal from anywhere, and you can give a complaint at your nearest police station, which must register a zero FIR for a cognizable offence even if it happened elsewhere and transfer it to the station with jurisdiction, under Section 173 BNSS. Section 173 also allows information to be given by electronic communication, to be signed within three days.
Most states have a dedicated cyber police station or cyber cell in each district. If the police do not register an FIR for a cognizable offence, you can approach the Superintendent of Police and then the Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS.
Documents you need
Collect these before you meet us. Do not delete chats, apps or emails, even if they are upsetting.
- 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in acknowledgement number
- Bank or wallet statement showing the disputed transactions with UTR numbers
- Screenshots of chats, profiles, websites and call logs
- Copy of the FIR or police complaint, if filed
- Letter or SMS from the bank about a freeze or hold
- Any notice received from the police or cyber cell
- ID proof and address proof
How we handle it for you
Triage the incident
We check what has been reported, what is on hold and which deadlines and authorities are involved.
Fix the complaint
We draft a precise complaint or FIR with transaction details and evidence, and follow up with the cyber cell.
Recover or release funds
We apply to the Magistrate for release of held money or for lifting a wrongful freeze.
Remove harmful content
We send takedown requests to platforms and escalate where needed.
Represent you in court
For victims and the accused, we handle bail, trial and any High Court proceedings.
Why clients choose ProudLegal
Advocates who appear in courtYour matter is drafted and argued by enrolled advocates, not call-centre staff.
Company and tax filings in-houseCompany secretaries and tax professionals handle registrations and returns.
Fees agreed in writingYou receive a written fee quote before any work begins.
Updates on WhatsApp and emailEvery hearing date, filing and document is shared as it happens.
Please note: this page explains the law and procedure in general terms as on 30 October 2026. Fees, limits and timelines change, and the facts of each case matter, so take advice on your own papers before acting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I file a cyber crime complaint online?
Go to cybercrime.gov.in, choose financial fraud or other cyber crime, fill in the details with transaction IDs and screenshots, and note the acknowledgement number. For money fraud, call 1930 first.
Can I get my money back after an online fraud?
Sometimes. If you report quickly, the money may be put on hold in the receiving accounts, and it can be released to you by a court order. The chance falls sharply with delay.
Why has my bank account been frozen by the cyber cell?
Usually because money linked to a fraud complaint reached your account. Ask the bank for the complaint details, then apply to the investigating officer and the Magistrate to lift or limit the freeze.
Is sharing someone's private photos a crime?
Yes. Capturing or publishing private images without consent is an offence under Section 66E of the IT Act, and sexually explicit content attracts Section 67A.
What is the punishment for online cheating?
Cheating under BNS 318 is punishable with up to three years, and up to seven years where property is delivered as a result. Cheating by personation using a computer is punishable under Section 66D of the IT Act with up to three years and a fine.
Is cyber defamation a criminal offence?
Yes. Defamation is an offence under Section 356 of the BNS, whether online or offline, and the person defamed can also file a civil suit for damages.
Should I pay in a sextortion case?
No. Preserve the evidence, stop responding, report on cybercrime.gov.in and to the police, and ask the platform to remove the content.
Can a cyber cell from another state call me for questioning?
Yes, police can issue a notice to join investigation. Respond through a lawyer, and consider anticipatory bail if non-bailable offences are alleged.
